Thousands await aid after deadly Indonesian quake

On Sunday, thousands of evacuees on Indonesia's Flores island awaited aid following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the region early Saturday, killing 48 people and injuring at least 101. The quake was followed by 341 aftershocks, leaving many homes and buildings damaged. Some 5,000 residents fled their homes, leaving others without electricity and telecommunications.

Though no reports of buried or missing individuals were made, survivors expressed their trauma and fear. The 55-year-old Umri and Nurhidayati, both 55, recounted their harrowing experiences, saying they had not dared to return home since the quake. The affected areas have seen at least 914 houses severely damaged, and numerous public facilities were also destroyed, including 93 educational institutions, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices.

International aid efforts are underway, with at least 50,000 aid packages weighing 275 tonnes sent by the government, and the European Union offering support from their Copernicus Earth observation satellites.