Indonesia Hit By 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake, Two Dead, Tsunami Warning Lifted
Two Killed In Indonesia Earthquake
At least two people were killed after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday, triggering a temporary tsunami warning and prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate. Indonesian authorities said a man and a woman were among the confirmed fatalities, while assessments were continuing to determine the full extent of casualties and damage caused by the earthquake.
According to the US Geological Survey, the shallow earthquake was centred off the northern coast of Flores, around 68 kilometres (42 miles) northwest of Ende. The strong tremor was followed by several aftershocks in the same area, including one measuring 6.1 magnitude. The combination of the initial earthquake and subsequent seismic activity raised concerns about further impacts in communities near the epicentre.
Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, a spokesperson for Indonesia's disaster management agency, confirmed the two deaths while speaking to reporters in Jakarta. "At this point there are two reported fatalities," he said, identifying the victims as a man and a woman. Authorities were still collecting information from affected areas, with officials expected to provide a more comprehensive assessment after local reports and damage data were verified.
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The earthquake also led Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to issue a tsunami warning. BMKG said modelling indicated that the earthquake had the potential to generate tsunami waves affecting parts of East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara. An alert was issued for waves potentially ranging between 0.5 metres and three metres (1.6 to 9.8 feet), prompting precautionary evacuations in some areas.
The tsunami warning was subsequently lifted after authorities assessed the situation and the immediate threat had passed. Hundreds of people had moved away from coastal areas as a precaution following the warning. Authorities continued monitoring the region for additional seismic activity and possible changes in coastal conditions following the earthquake and its aftershocks.
Indonesia is located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire", one of the world's most seismically active regions, where several tectonic plates meet. The country frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity, while powerful undersea earthquakes can also create tsunami risks. Following Saturday's earthquake, Indonesian authorities continued gathering information on casualties and structural damage while monitoring the affected areas for further hazards.
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