Indonesia Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Kills 51, Displaces Thousands on Flores Island

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake in eastern Indonesia killed at least 51 people and forced about 5,000 to evacuate.

Rescue teams are working to clear roads blocked by landslides and reach survivors still trapped under rubble. The earthquake struck at 5:58 a.m. local time on Saturday (21:58 GMT, Friday). Its epicenter was about 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende city, on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara province. The US Geological Survey reported the depth at 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

The quake was followed by some 341 aftershocks, making it one of Indonesia’s deadliest earthquakes in years. Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus reported 36 people were seriously injured and 77 suffered minor injuries. More than 3,300 people in Sikka regency either fled their homes or were left stranded, taking shelter in a sports arena.

Nearly 160 houses, dozens of educational and health facilities, and other public buildings were damaged. Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura village, described the quake as massive and strong. Melania Nius, 56, recounted praying as she fought to get her family to safety from a hospital's third floor. In the port town of Maumere, some residents camped outside collapsed homes under tarpaulin tents, while others received treatment in a makeshift tent outside a local hospital.

Simon Sabandi, deputy regent of Sikka, said almost all Sikka residents did not dare stay indoors. Authorities had issued a tsunami warning and urged coastal residents to move to higher ground.