Indonesia's Magnitude 7.7 Quake Kills At Least 51, Displaces Thousands

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday morning, leaving a trail of devastation. At least 51 people have died, and around 5,000 residents have been displaced as rescue teams grapple with the aftermath. The quake hit at 5:58 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located north-northwest of Ende city on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The earthquake, which registered a shallow depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), has been followed by approximately 341 aftershocks, making it one of the deadliest seismic events in Indonesia in recent years. Official figures indicate that 36 people sustained serious injuries, while 77 others suffered minor ones, according to Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus.

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The quake was massive, the shock was so strong, we were resting at home with family. There were 13 of us inside the house, and we all ran to save ourselves.

Hard-hit areas like Sikka regency saw over 3,300 people flee their homes, seeking shelter in places like a sports arena. Residents described the intense shaking, with many forced to evacuate immediately. In the port town of Maumere, survivors camped outside damaged homes or received treatment in makeshift tents outside the local hospital.

Authorities reported that at least 157 houses were destroyed and nearly 200 more were damaged. This destruction forced about 2,000 villagers in Nagekeo regency, the area closest to the epicenter, into temporary shelters. Rescue operations are facing significant challenges, as landslides have blocked roads and disrupted communication lines in Nagekeo. Helicopters and a rescue vessel have been deployed to aid the response in the geographically challenging region of scattered islands.

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Almost all of Sikka’s residents didn’t dare stay indoors, so they slept on a porch or a tent outside.