7.7-Magnitude Quake Kills 14 on Indonesia's Flores Island
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province early Saturday, killing at least 14 people, injuring 13 and damaging more than 70 homes along with schools, hospitals and other buildings.
Death Toll and Immediate Impact
Fourteen people died and 13 were injured as of 12:30 p.m. local time, with deaths reported in Sikka, Manggarai and East Manggarai Districts. [1] The shallow offshore quake was centered northeast of Mbay at a depth of 15 km. [1] About 2,000 residents in Nagekeo District evacuated after a tsunami warning was issued. [1] Tremors were also felt in Bima on Sumbawa Island. [1] The earthquake hit northern Flores hardest, with severe impacts in Maumere, Ngada and Manggarai, as well as Nagekeo near the epicenter. [1]
Geological Cause and Tsunami Alert
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency said the 7.7-magnitude earthquake was triggered by the Flores back-arc thrust fault. [2] The Flores back-arc fault has a maximum earthquake potential of 7.8 to 7.9. [2] A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck the region in 1992, causing severe damage. [2] BMKG lifted its tsunami early warning at 7:30 a.m. Western Indonesia Time. [2] The agency said it would continue monitoring aftershocks and provide regular updates to the public. [2]
Government Response and Aid Deployment
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno traveled to East Nusa Tenggara with National Disaster Mitigation Agency Chief Suharyanto. [1] BNPB sent a helicopter to deliver supplies and support emergency operations. [1] Air support is important given NTT’s archipelagic geography and limited connectivity between regions. [1] BNPB also mobilized teams to help local governments assess damage, rescue victims, identify impacts and distribute essential supplies. [1] East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melki Laka Lena said President Prabowo Subianto had ordered several ministers to oversee the emergency response directly. [1]
Damage Assessment in East Nusa Tenggara
The earthquake damaged more than 70 homes, five health facilities, one school, three places of worship, six government offices and a Bulog warehouse. [1] Images show the collapse of several buildings in different points of the island of Flores. [4] The city of Maumere, about 100 kilometers from the epicenter, also sustained impacts. [4] The Mbay earthquake hit northern Flores hardest, with severe impacts in Maumere, Ngada and Manggarai, as well as Nagekeo near the epicenter. [1]
Aftershocks and Ongoing Monitoring
Thirty-seven aftershocks were recorded with magnitudes that oscillated between 3.6 and 6.2. [4] BMKG said it would continue to closely monitor aftershocks. [2] The agency ended the tsunami early warning but will continue monitoring sea-level activity recorded by tide gauges. [2] Indonesia lies in the Ring of Fire, a zone of intense seismic and volcanic activity due to the convergence of several tectonic plates. [4]
Separate Quake Strikes Granada, Spain
A magnitude-5 earthquake struck with its epicenter in Alhendín, Granada, at 1:04 a.m. [3] Authorities activated the Plan of emergency for Seismic Risk in Andalusia, in emergency phase, operative situation 1. [3] The telephone 1-1-2 handled more than 200 calls, most from Granada province. [3] Reports included cracks in buildings, fallen cornices, rubble, walls and damage to some structures. [3] Firefighters and police inspected and cordoned off damaged points. [3] No personal injuries were confirmed. [3]
What to watch next: BMKG will continue monitoring aftershocks and sea-level activity recorded by tide gauges while the Grupo de Arquitectos Voluntarios de Andalucía evaluates possible building damage in Granada.
