Indonesia Earthquake: At Least 47 Dead, Buildings Collapse; Tsunami Alert Issued and Canceled | El Universal, Mexico

A devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted the seas off Indonesia's coast early Saturday, leaving at least 47 people dead, collapsing buildings, and sparking panic in a region frequently hit by deadly seismic activity. Authorities fear the death toll will rise as rescue operations continue.

Initially, Indonesia issued a tsunami alert, urging coastal residents to move to higher ground. However, the alert was eventually canceled as meteorological monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes posing a threat. Despite this, reports of smaller tsunamis emerged, with videos showing coastal villages like Ngada in East Manggarai covered in mud and debris following a 1.61-meter (5.3-foot) wave. Fishing boats were found stranded ashore, and infrastructure sustained damage.

The earthquake, which struck the eastern Flores region at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), was followed by at least 235 aftershocks, including one of magnitude 6.2. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicenter was located 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of Ende city in East Nusa Tenggara province. Smaller tsunami waves were also detected in other coastal areas.

Compounding the tragedy, power outages in affected cities and villages have severely hampered communication, complicating the crucial search and rescue efforts. Landslides triggered by the earthquake have also rendered the Trans-Flores highway, a vital mountain road traversing the island, impassable in certain sections. Officials are working to overcome these obstacles to reach survivors and assess the full extent of the damage.

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We are still collecting reports of damage and victims, but there are communication disruptions.