At least 40 killed as massive earthquake hits Indonesia

An earthquake of magnitude 7.7 struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores Island on Saturday morning, resulting in at least 40 fatalities and widespread destruction. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake's epicenter was approximately 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). The disaster prompted numerous aftershocks, the strongest measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) head Suharyanto confirmed that the initial quake caused 38 deaths, mostly in the regions of Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai. Rescue official Fathur Rahman reported a death toll of 40 and 50 injured. Around 2,000 villagers in Nagekeo regency, located closest to the quake's epicenter, fled to temporary shelters. East Nusa Tenggara police chief Rudi Darmoko described the disaster as severe, with collapsed buildings and significant damage.

Aid efforts are underway, with three helicopters and a rescue vessel deployed to provide logistical support and emergency response. However, reaching Nagekeo regency has proven challenging due to landslides blocking roads and disrupted communication signals. Fear persists that the death toll will rise as emergency teams continue their work.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning for affected coastlines, urging residents to evacuate beaches and riverbanks. The warning has since been lifted. Initial estimates suggest that more than half a million people on Flores Island experienced very strong shaking, while several million more across the wider region endured moderate to strong tremors. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and assess the risk of further aftershocks.