Indonesian Earthquake Described as 'Trampoline' Experience

Survivors of a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia described the terrifying experience as feeling like being on a trampoline. The 7.7 magnitude quake hit off the coast of Flores island early Saturday morning, causing widespread damage and a rising death toll.

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I have never felt such a big earthquake before. It felt like we were on a trampoline. It was really scary.

Yulian Juita Ekalia, a university lecturer in Ruteng, located over 100 kilometers west of the epicenter, recounted the intensity of the shaking. "I have never felt such a big earthquake before," she said. "It felt like we were on a trampoline. It was really scary." Ekalia described how everything in her house fell as she rushed outside with her son and neighbors.

In Nagekeo, east of Ruteng, Yohanes Babo was at a market when the ground began to shake. "The tremors were very powerful. Fortunately, we were already outside the house," he told AFP. "People panicked and ran around. We are evacuating for now and trying to get to the hills."

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The tremors were very powerful. Fortunately, we were already outside the house. People panicked and ran around. We are evacuating for now and trying to get to the hills.

The national disaster agency, BNPB, has reported at least 47 deaths and 50 injured. Nearly 160 houses and dozens of educational, health, and public buildings have been damaged. BNPB head Suharyanto stated that many people are trapped inside collapsed buildings, and rescue teams are prioritizing them. Indonesia is situated in the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," an area prone to significant seismic activity.

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They will be the first target for the emergency teams.