The magnitude 7.7 earthquake off eastern Indonesia early Saturday killed at least five people, forced residents into the streets, and caused buildings to collapse.
Tsunami warning was lifted about three hours after the quake
The quake struck at 4:58 a.m. local time at a depth of 15 kilometers, according to Indonesia’s geophysics agency, BMKG. Dozens of aftershocks followed.
A tsunami warning was issued but later canceled. Waves under one meter were recorded in several areas, though no significant flooding occurred.
Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province, stated at a press conference that the five victims died from falling debris while asleep. The national disaster mitigation agency, BNPB, initially reported one death and four injuries before confirming the higher toll.
Buildings crumbled, patients evacuated
Video from Maumere, the main town in Sikka Regency on Flores Island, showed parts of a building collapsing into dust as people screamed and ran into the street. Strong shaking was felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of South Sulawesi, with residents describing tremors lasting about a minute.
Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura village, said her family of 13 rushed outside when the shaking began. “The quake was powerful, the shock intense,” she recalled. “We were resting at home when it hit.”
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A hospital in Ende district moved patients outside as a precaution. At least one landslide was reported, and authorities documented damage to houses, warehouses, and government buildings. Power outages and traffic jams disrupted parts of the regency, while about 2,000 residents in Nagekeo sought safer areas.
The Australian tsunami warning center said the undersea quake posed no threat to its mainland or territories.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide, making it highly prone to earthquakes. Past quakes in the region have caused deadly tsunamis, though Saturday’s event did not reach that level.
Aftershocks keep residents on edge
The BMKG recorded multiple aftershocks. Residents in affected areas stayed outside for hours, fearing additional shaking.
“Most people felt the shock and ran from their homes,” the BNPB said. Authorities advised caution as assessments continued, particularly in remote areas with slow communication.
