Deadly 7.7 Quake Strikes Indonesia: Buildings Fall, 38 Confirmed Dead

Indonesia's Flores Island has been struck by a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, causing widespread damage and claiming at least 38 lives. The tremor, which hit early Saturday morning at 5:58 am local time, triggered panic across the region, a common area for seismic activity.

The US Geological Survey reported the quake's epicenter 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Following the main shock, several aftershocks further rattled the area.

Initially, a tsunami warning was issued, prompting immediate concern among coastal communities. However, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency later lifted the alert after sea-level monitoring confirmed no dangerous changes threatening the coast.

The port town of Maumere, the main town in Sikka regency on Flores Island, bore a significant brunt of the quake. Rescuers there initially found 20 people dead, with six injured and two trapped under rubble. The death toll tragically rose to 38 later in the day, as confirmed by Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Management Agency.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos and destruction. Yohanna Embu, a resident of Sikka, described numerous buildings damaged and panicked residents fleeing to higher ground. She noted the collapse of the waiting room at the port terminal in Maumere. Hospitals across the island were also impacted, with footage showing medical staff evacuating patients and equipment outdoors to set up temporary treatment areas. Students attending morning Mass at St Peter Major Seminary in Sikka fled in terror as the roof of an assembly hall began to collapse.

The authorities are continuing rescue operations and assessing the full extent of the damage, as residents grapple with the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster.

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