At least 2 dead after magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia

An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia early Saturday, resulting in at least two deaths and numerous aftershocks, according to authorities. Tsunami waves measuring less than 1 meter were reported in several regions across the Southeast Asian country. The tsunami alert was subsequently lifted approximately three hours after the initial quake.

The disaster mitigation agency, BNPB, reported that one person sustained injuries in Sikka Regency. In the city of Maumere, which serves as the main town in the regency located on Flores Island, a video captured by Facebook showed a building collapsing into rubble as people ran in fear. Strong tremors were felt throughout East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of South Sulawesi, causing residents to evacuate their homes in many areas.

Within hours of the incident, a hospital in Ende, a district in East Nusa Tenggara Province, began evacuating patients outdoors. Additionally, a landslide was reported in the same province. The Geophysics agency BMKG registered the earthquake at a depth of 15 kilometers, followed by several aftershocks.

The Australian tsunami warning center declared that the underwater quake posed no threat to the Australian mainland, islands, or territories.