Days after Indonesia quake killed 53, another 5.9 earthquake strikes Flores Island

On Thursday, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck the Flores region of Indonesia, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). This was the second earthquake to hit the region in a short span, following a 5.9-magnitude tremor earlier on Monday. The most recent earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 10 km, causing worry among residents who are still recovering from a devastating 7.7-magnitude quake that killed at least 53 people just two days prior.

The ongoing rescue efforts in Flores are focused on clearing landslides and rubble from the aftermath of the 7.7-magnitude quake. Over 53 individuals have lost their lives since the initial earthquake, prompting continuous rescue operations and the distribution of relief supplies such as rice, ready-to-eat meals, drinking water, blankets, and medicine. Emergency shelters have been established for those displaced by the disaster.

Despite the earthquake and subsequent landslides, thousands of residents have been left without electricity and communication services. Authorities are working tirelessly to restore these essential services, while providing aid to remote villages that have been cut off by the landslides. The region's vulnerability to earthquakes is a known factor given Indonesia's location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area known for its seismic activity.