At least 47 individuals lost their lives following a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake and numerous aftershocks that hit eastern Indonesia on Saturday, as reported by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Around 2,000 people sought refuge in safer locations as a result of the disaster.
Rescue operations have been impeded in Nagekeo, the area closest to the quake’s epicenter, due to landslides blocking roads and disrupting communication networks. The tsunami warning was lifted approximately three hours after the seismic event.
Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura, described the quake as massive, with a strong impact that prompted her and 12 others to flee their house for safety. In Maumere, a port town, rescuers discovered 20 fatalities, six injuries, and two individuals trapped under debris.
BNPB’s head, Suharyanto, mentioned that residents remain trapped in multiple structures in the affected regions, with landslides obstructing various roadways. Damage to residences, warehouses, and government facilities was reported, along with traffic congestion and power outages in parts of the regency.
Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena confirmed at a press briefing that at least five individuals perished due to collapsing structures while asleep. Initial data from BNPB indicated significant damage to residential units, schools, health facilities, places of worship, office buildings, and other infrastructure.
Videos circulating on social media showed buildings collapsing, people fleeing in panic, and rescue efforts underway in the aftermath of the disaster. Strong tremors were felt across different provinces, with residents reporting shaking lasting around one minute.
Indonesia sits within the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a highly seismically active region where tectonic plates converge, resulting in frequent seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.