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38 killed, homes ruined and a tsunami alert: What we know of the Indonesia earthquake
Saturday's earthquake marked the deadliest since a 7.4 magnitude struck off Indonesia's North Maluku on April 1 earlier this year.
A massive 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 38 people and leaving behind a path of destruction.
The earthquake, which struck Indonesia's Flores region at a depth of 10 kilometres at 5:58 am local time, also triggered landslides and a tsunami alert, according to the USGS.
As per the Indonesian geophysics agency BMKG, the first earthquake was recorded at 4:58 am local time, followed by several aftershocks.
Deep Dive
While Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and tremors due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Saturday's earthquake marked the deadliest since a 7.4 magnitude struck off Indonesia's North Maluku on April 1 earlier this year.
Search and rescue underway
Head of Maumere Search and Rescue Agency, Fathur Rahman, told the Associated Press that at least 20 bodies were found in Sikka, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai due to the collapse of buildings and landslides in the regions. As the search and rescue continues, authorities stated that the death toll has now increased to 38, with more deaths feared.
At least six people have been injured, and the search is on for two missing villagers, who are believed to be buried underneath the tons of mud after the landslide.
Local authorities have also added that around 2,000 villagers in Nagekeo regency fled their homes to temporary shelters due to the powerful tremors.
Buildings, homes left in ruins
The earthquake has also caused severe damage and collapsed buildings. As per East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko, power outages in cities and villages have hampered the flow of information and complicated search and rescue efforts.
"We are continuing to collect reports of damage and casualties, but there are communication disruptions," Darmoko told AP.
He further added that the landslides in Ende regency have cut off the Trans-Flores highway, hampering movement and rescue operations.
Footage on local television and social media also showed patients at several hospitals being evacuated from buildings after the earthquake.
Watch | Indonesia hit by 7.7-magnitude earthquake: Visuals show buildings collapse, people fleeing
Tsunami alert
The powerful earthquake also triggered a tsunami warning. As per reports, tsunami waves of less than 1 metre (3 feet) were recorded in several areas.
However, three hours after the earthquake and its aftershocks, the tsunami warning was called off.
Despite the warning being called off, the BMKG stated it would continue to monitor the sea levels.
"We have ended (the tsunami warning), but we will keep monitoring the sea level," said BMKG earthquake and tsunami director Wijayanto, as per news agency AFP.
The last time Indonesia's Flores was struck by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in 1992, which triggered a tsunami and resulted in around 2,500 deaths.
(With inputs from agencies)
