Search team clears landslide-blocked access, expands NTT quake search

Nearly 160 houses, educational institutions, and public facilities sustained damage following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake striking off the coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. At least 47 people lost their lives, with the death toll rising from 40 earlier in the day. At least 50 individuals sustained injuries from the tremor, which occurred at 4:58 a.m. Central Indonesian Time on Saturday.

The epicenter was located approximately 68 kilometers northwest of the town of Ende. Strong aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 6.1, followed the initial quake, complicating rescue efforts. Landslides obstructed access to affected areas, hindering rescue operations. Over 2,000 people were housed in temporary shelters, with aid packages weighing 275 tonnes dispatched by the Indonesian government.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies mobilized resources to assist some 2,000 individuals. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen pledged support from Copernicus Earth observation satellites for search and rescue operations. While the initial quake was felt as far away as West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi, a subsequent 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck North Sumatra, causing tremors in several cities.