A powerful earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores island on Saturday, killing at least 20 people. The disaster also triggered mass evacuations as residents fled to safer areas.
Rescue teams searched collapsed buildings for survivors across several affected towns. Rescue official Fathur Rahman confirmed 20 deaths, six injuries, and two people trapped beneath rubble.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island’s northern coast. Authorities placed the epicentre about 68 kilometres northwest of the coastal town of Ende.
Rescuers Search Collapsed Buildings
Fathur said rescuers focused on locating people trapped beneath debris. However, landslides blocked several roads and complicated rescue operations.
Authorities rescued two people alive from the rubble, while rescuers recovered another victim’s body. Officials continued assessing damage across affected communities.
Meanwhile, residents near Nagekeo rushed toward higher ground after the sea suddenly retreated. The unusual movement raised concerns about a possible tsunami.
Tsunami Warning Lifted After Earthquake
Authorities later lifted the tsunami warning but urged residents to avoid damaged buildings. Officials warned that strong aftershocks could cause unstable structures to collapse.
Dozens of aftershocks have already struck the region. The strongest aftershock measured 6.1 in magnitude.
Nagekeo remained the hardest-hit area, according to rescue officials. Two people also remained trapped alive under rubble in neighbouring Manggarai regency.
The full scale of the damage remained unclear as rescue teams continued operations. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as assessments continue.
