Jakarta: A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least five people and causing buildings to collapse in parts of Flores Island. The shallow earthquake triggered a tsunami warning and sent thousands of residents fleeing towards safer, higher ground.
Buildings damaged as residents flee
The earthquake struck near the Flores region in East Nusa Tenggara. Videos circulating online showed buildings shaking and sections of structures collapsing as people ran to safety. The authenticity of individual social media videos could not be independently verified.
Authorities reported damage to homes and public infrastructure, while rescue teams continued assessing the situation. Power outages and communication disruptions were also reported in affected areas.
Tsunami warning triggers evacuations
The Indonesian geophysics agency BMKG issued a tsunami warning following the earthquake and urged residents in coastal areas to move inland or to higher ground.
Tsunami waves of less than one metre were subsequently recorded in some areas. The warning was lifted around three hours later after the immediate threat subsided.
Around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo were reported to have evacuated, while emergency teams worked to reach affected communities.
Aftershocks add to fears
Several strong aftershocks followed the main earthquake, increasing anxiety among residents and complicating rescue operations.
Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions.
The disaster has renewed concerns about earthquake preparedness, building safety and the need for rapid evacuation measures in vulnerable coastal communities.