Indonesia: Dozens dead after earthquake off Flores island
At least 47 people have died and several buildings were damaged after the powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks. A tsunami warning has been lifted.
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores island early Saturday, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. The earthquake's epicenter was located at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making it particularly dangerous. The US Geological Survey confirmed the quake's severity.
After the initial shock, at least 47 people were reported dead, and numerous buildings collapsed, causing widespread damage and power outages. Tsunami waves of less than a meter were recorded in several areas before the warning was lifted. Video footage from Maumere, the main town in Sikka Regency, depicted a building partially collapsing and people fleeing in panic.
Several aftershocks followed the initial quake, including one measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. Authorities urged residents to move to higher ground, and hospitals evacuated patients as a precaution. The earthquake's impact extended beyond Flores island, with reported damages in parts of southern Sulawesi. Indonesia, situated on the "Ring of Fire," is prone to frequent seismic activity.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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