A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores region, resulting in the loss of at least 38 lives, with an additional six individuals injured and two others reported missing after a landslide incident. The destruction varies across various locations, impacting homes and buildings, and prompting widespread panic among the inhabitants.

The earthquake occurred at 5:58 am local time on Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey, which noted the epicentre was located 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. Several aftershocks have been recorded in the aftermath of the main quake, adding to the distress in the affected areas.

Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Agency, indicated that recovery efforts have led to the retrieval of at least 20 deceased individuals across three severely impacted regencies: Sikka, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai. Notably, eight bodies were recovered from a landslide in the Reok village within Manggarai.

Search and Rescue Operations Underway

Search and rescue operations are continuing as teams assess the damage and aim to locate the two missing villagers believed to have been caught in the landslide caused by the earthquake. The head of the local search agency confirmed that six individuals with serious injuries were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.

East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko provided insights on the extensive damage observed, including collapsed structures and extended power outages in multiple towns and villages. The disruption in power supply has impeded communications, complicating the collection of casualty reports and ongoing rescue efforts. He mentioned, “We are continually gathering information on the extent of damage, despite communication disruptions.”

Landslides in Ende regency triggered by the quake also obstructed the Trans-Flores highway, a crucial 700-kilometre road that connects Labuan Bajo to Larantuka, further limiting access for emergency services.

Emergency Response and Community Impact

In light of the situation, Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency has deployed a helicopter to facilitate logistics and emergency operations, including potential evacuations. The inherent geographical challenges in East Nusa Tenggara, an archipelago consisting of numerous islands, necessitate such air support for effective response measures.

Approximately 2,000 villagers in Nagekeo regency have sought refuge in temporary shelters due to the quake’s impact, indicating a sizable displacement of the population. The tremors were felt widely across Flores Island, with initial assessments signifying substantial damage to infrastructure.

Witnesses reported scenes of chaos, including residents fleeing to higher ground. Yohanna Embu, a local from Sikka regency, remarked that the quake led to damage in various structures. At the St Peter Major Seminary, panic ensued as students evacuated during a morning Mass as the assembly hall’s roof collapsed, leading to injuries among attendees. Rev Guidelbertus Tanga noted that at least one priest sustained a broken leg during the evacuation.

The earthquake triggered initial tsunami warnings affecting several regions, including East and West Nusa Tenggara as well as parts of Sulawesi. Authorities advised residents to stay away from coastal areas, but these warnings were subsequently lifted by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency once it confirmed no threatening sea-level changes were detected.

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