7.7-Magnitude Quake Off Indonesia's Flores Island Kills Two
Quake Strikes Off Flores Island
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia's Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara early Saturday, killing at least two people, prompting a brief tsunami warning that was later lifted, and causing widespread panic with residents fleeing to higher ground. [2] Two fatalities were confirmed at El Say Port in Sikka District, with one additional injury reported. [1] Emergency officials initially cited two deaths before correcting to one dead and four injured in some updates. [2] The shallow quake was centered about 38-68 km northwest of Ende or near Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 15 km. [4] Strong shaking was felt for about one minute across multiple districts and as far as parts of South Sulawesi. [4] The epicentre was located off the north coast of the island, about 68 kilometres northwest of the coastal town of Ende. [2] The quake struck at 5:58 a.m. Central Indonesia Time. [4] Residents in Nagekeo regency, the area closest to the epicentre, raced for higher ground as the sea retreated. [2] Yohanes Babo, 56, a resident of Nagekeo, said he was at a market when the earth started shaking. [2] "The shaking was strong. Thankfully, we were already outside the house," he told AFP. [2] "People were panicking, running here and there. We're evacuating for the time being... and trying to get to the hills," he said. [2]
Tsunami Warning Issued Then Lifted
A tsunami warning was issued for waves of 0.5-3 meters but lifted by 7:30-8:30 a.m. local time. [1] Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency initially warned of possible tsunami waves following the quake and urged people to get to higher ground. [2] An alert was initially issued for waves ranging from 0.5 metres to three metres, but was later lifted. [2] The tsunami warning ended at 7:30 a.m. local time according to one report. [1] BMKG lifted the warnings at 8:30 a.m. WITA according to another account. [4] Authorities continue monitoring sea levels and aftershocks, including recorded events of magnitude 6.1-6.2. [2] "We have ended the tsunami warning, but we will continue monitoring sea-level activity recorded at our stations," BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Center Director Wijayanto said. [1] "We have ended (the tsunami warning) but we will keep monitoring the sea level," said Wijayanto. [2] Residents were urged to remain calm even after the warning was lifted. [1]
Aftershocks and Safety Advisories
Residents urged to avoid beaches, stay away from cracked or damaged buildings due to aftershock risks, and follow emergency instructions. [1] Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency urged residents to stay away from beaches after the magnitude 7.7 quake, despite the lifting of a tsunami warning. [1] "Please remain calm. Although the tsunami warning has been lifted, we urge people to stay away from beaches until further notice from BMKG," BNPB's Acting Chief on Data, Information, and Communications, Berton S.P. Panjaitan, said. [1] Residents were also urged not to enter buildings, particularly those with cracks or other structural damage. [1] "They could be dangerous if aftershocks occur," Berton said. [1] Several aftershocks followed, including two magnitude 6.2 tremors recorded at 6:13 a.m. and 6:28 a.m. WITA. [4] The jolt was followed by strong aftershocks in the same area, including one with a magnitude of 6.1. [2] Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency urged residents to remain vigilant against aftershocks following the powerful quake. [3]
Rescue Operations Underway
Thousands evacuated, with rescuers searching rubble in areas such as Maumere and Ruteng. [2] Rescue teams are continuing to assess damage and casualties in affected areas across Flores Island. [3] Television footage showed rescuers combing through rubble in Maumere, a town on the north coast of Flores island, in search of trapped survivors. [2] The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. [2] Lukas Lotar, a resident of Maumere, said the earth "suddenly started to shake and I panicked". [2] "Patients also fled the hospital, the jolt was big. I saw some walls were cracked," Lotar, a hospital customer service official told AFP. [2] Damaged houses are seen following the earthquake in Ruteng, Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. [2] Joint rescue teams evacuated coastal residents and provided medical treatment to victims. [4] Rescue teams are continuing to assess damage and casualties in affected areas across Flores Island, with further details expected as emergency operations continue. [3]
Indonesia's Seismic History
The region lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has a history of deadly quakes, including a 7.7-magnitude event in Flores in 1992 that triggered a tsunami killing around 2,500. [2] Indonesia and neighbouring countries experience frequent earthquakes due to their location in the Pacific "Ring of Fire" -- an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. [2] Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin, making it prone to frequent earthquakes. [3] Flores was struck by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in 1992, which triggered a tsunami and resulted in around 2,500 deaths. [2]
What to watch next: Authorities will keep monitoring sea-level activity at stations and provide updates on aftershocks while residents remain advised to avoid beaches and damaged structures until further notice.
