Twenty killed as powerful earthquake strikes Indonesia
At least 20 people died when a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia on Saturday. Rescue workers near the port town of Maumere found 20 dead, six injured and two trapped under rubble, said Fathur Rahman, head of the city's rescue agency. Maumere is the main town in Sikka Regency, on Flores Island. Emergency personnel have not yet reached Nagekeo, the region closest to the…
A powerful earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia on Saturday, claiming at least 20 lives. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 7.7, hit Maumere, the principal town in Sikka Regency on Flores Island. Rescue workers confirmed 20 fatalities, along with six injuries and two individuals trapped beneath debris. Emergency services had not yet reached Nagekeo, the region nearest to the quake's epicenter, due to blocked roads from landslides and communication disruptions.
Approximately 2,000 residents were evacuated to safety, while damage was reported to buildings, warehouses, and government facilities. Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena of East Nusa Tenggara province reported five deaths due to a building collapse during the night. The tremor was felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of South Sulawesi, with shaking lasting around a minute in some areas.
Tsunami waves, measuring less than a meter, were recorded in several coastal regions, but the warning was lifted after three hours. The Indonesian geophysics agency, BMKG, recorded the initial quake at 4:58 am, 15km beneath the surface, followed by numerous aftershocks. Notably, the same area experienced a magnitude-7.5 earthquake in 1992, resulting in significant destruction.
Indonesia lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region where tectonic plates converge, resulting in frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
