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7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes off Flores, Indonesia

natureAug 15, 202685389

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Flores, Indonesia, shortly before 05:00 local time on Saturday, killing at least 47 people, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said. Indonesia’s meteorology and geophysics agency reported the quake had a depth of 15 km, and dozens of aftershocks followed, including a magnitude 6.1 in the same eastern area. Hundreds of buildings were damaged across the remote, mountainous region; video from Maumere showed concrete breaking off a port terminal and a gangway collapsing onto passengers. A tsunami warning was issued and then lifted about three hours later when no significant sea-level rise was detected. BNPB said about 2,000 people had evacuated or relocated themselves and that aid was being sent to affected areas. Authorities reported fatalities concentrated in Manggarai province, with 24 deaths there (17 in East Manggarai), three in Sikka and at least one each in Ngada, Ende and West Manggarai; two people were seriously injured and 11 slightly injured. Search and rescue operations are under way while officials warn people to stay away from damaged structures and coastal areas as teams assess wider damage.

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