Indonesia hit by two strong earthquakes, at least 47 dead

Indonesia was shaken by two powerful earthquakes on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction and a rising death toll. The first, a magnitude 7.7 tremor, hit the island of Flores, followed by numerous aftershocks. The provisional death toll there stands at least 47, with dozens injured and many still unaccounted for.

Hours later, a second earthquake, magnitude 6.9, struck near Sumatra island. Its epicenter was located 126 kilometers southeast of Medan, the island's capital. Rescue teams are in a race against time to dig through rubble and save lives, particularly on Flores, where the situation appears more dire.

The initial quake on Flores struck around 5 a.m. local time, with its epicenter 15 kilometers offshore at a depth of 10 kilometers. The tremors caused widespread panic, affecting numerous tourists, including many Italians. Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed no Italian citizens were reported dead or injured, and the embassy in Jakarta is assisting those wishing to leave the affected area. Approximately 5,000 Italian citizens are currently in Indonesia, with about 500 on Flores.

Dramatic images have emerged, including a video from Maumere port showing concrete debris falling onto passengers waiting for a ferry. Some were reportedly thrown into the sea as a walkway collapsed. The governor of the hardest-hit province, East Nusa Tenggara, stated that some people died in their sleep due to building collapses. An initial tsunami warning was issued but later revoked. Authorities reported that at least 2,000 people evacuated or moved inland. The local transport network is also at risk of collapse, hindering aid and rescue operations. Five airports in East Nusa Tenggara were affected, with terminals damaged, including at Komodo International Airport on Flores. Two ferry ports also sustained severe damage.

“

For them, everything turned into great fear, and now one of the main difficulties is finding a flight to move to another area.