A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, killing five people, with authorities warning that the death toll is expected to rise. The quake hit shortly before 5am local time on Saturday, about 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende at a depth of 10 kilometres.
Casualties and Damage
Preliminary reports indicated that two people died in Sikka Regency and three others in Manggarai Regency. The five victims died from collapsing rubble as they slept, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena told reporters. Officials have said the death toll is expected to climb as emergency teams work through the aftermath.
Footage from the site showed severe damage to buildings, and people fled their homes to seek safety.
Aftershocks and Tsunami Warning
The first quake was followed by at least three other powerful tremors within half an hour, measuring magnitudes 5.9, 5.6 and 6.1. Following the quake, the country's Weather, Climate, and Earthquake Information office (BMKG) issued an early tsunami warning. Residents were urged to stay away from beaches and riverbanks and move to higher ground. The warning was subsequently lifted.
Regional Impact and Context
More than half a million people on Flores Island are likely to have experienced very strong shaking, according to USGS estimates. Moderate to strong shaking could have been felt by several million more people across the wider region. Indonesia, which has a population of more than 270 million people across roughly 17,000 islands, is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is one of the world's most seismically active countries.
In December 1992, the same stretch of coastline was struck by a powerful earthquake, which triggered a tsunami and killed more than 2,500 people on Flores.
