Indonesia's Flores Island Earthquake Kills 68, Displaces 12,800

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake has devastated Flores Island in Indonesia, claiming the lives of 68 people and leaving 213 injured. The tremors, which struck off the northern coast on the 15th, have also caused widespread destruction to homes, with over 1,300 properties damaged, including 900 severely.

Fear of aftershocks and further collapses has forced more than 12,800 residents to flee their homes, seeking refuge in temporary shelters. The region has been hit by 1,576 aftershocks, the strongest measuring 6.2. Residents like Junaidin, 32, are sharing single tents with up to 30 people, appealing for urgent government aid for shelter, medicine, food, and water, which has yet to arrive.

Many Flores residents carry the trauma of the 1992 earthquake and tsunami that killed approximately 2,500 people. Rescue operations are in full swing, with the Indonesian air force deploying aircraft and helicopters to deliver 13 tons of essential supplies. The Ministry of Health has dispatched two field hospitals and emergency medical teams, supported by around 1,400 military and police personnel.

Beyond the human toll and structural damage, the earthquake disrupted vital infrastructure, including power and communication networks. However, authorities report significant progress in restoring services, with most power and telecommunication lines back online by the 17th, except in a few areas. Indonesia, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences seismic activity, a region known for its geological instability.

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The house collapsed or was cracked, so we couldn't go in.