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Iran Fires Back at Trump's Threat to Declare Hormuz a US Territory
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Disasters & Emergencies

Iran Fires Back at Trump's Threat to Declare Hormuz a US Territory

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's eastern Flores island, killing at least 47 people and injuring 50.
  • Nearly 160 houses and dozens of other buildings were damaged, with rescue efforts complicated by landslides.
  • International aid is being prepared, and residents near the coast briefly evacuated due to a receding sea, a potential tsunami indicator.

Rescuers are sifting through the rubble for survivors after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's eastern Flores island on Saturday, claiming at least 47 lives and injuring 50 people, according to disaster officials.

These will be the initial targets of the disaster response teams.

— SuharyantoDescribing the immediate focus for rescue operations on people trapped in damaged buildings.

The national disaster management agency (BNPB) confirmed the rising death toll late Saturday. Rescue official Fathur Rahman reported that dozens were injured, and BNPB head Suharyanto indicated that people were trapped in several buildings, identifying them as initial targets for response teams. The quake damaged nearly 160 houses, numerous educational and health facilities, and other public buildings on the popular tourist island.

International support is mobilizing, with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies preparing aid for approximately 2,000 people in temporary shelters. The government has dispatched 50,000 aid packages, totaling 275 tons. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen offered assistance, pledging the use of the bloc's Copernicus Earth observation satellites for search and rescue efforts.

Europe stands ready to deploy Copernicus, our eyes in the sky, to support search and rescue efforts. Indonesia, we stand with you.

— Ursula von der LeyenOffering EU assistance via Earth observation satellites for search and rescue.

Residents described the terrifying experience. Yulian Juita Ekalia, a university lecturer living over 100 kilometers from the epicenter, recounted being jolted awake by the intense tremor. "I have never felt an earthquake this big," she told AFP, describing the sensation as being on a trampoline. "It felt like we were on a trampoline; it was really scary." Her home's contents were toppled, and she rushed outside to find her son and neighbors screaming in fear.

I have never felt an earthquake this big.

— Yulian Juita EkaliaDescribing the intensity of the earthquake from her experience.

Rescue operations face challenges from landslides blocking roads, complicating efforts to reach victims buried under debris. Many areas lost electricity and telecommunications. In Nagekeo, near the epicenter, residents fled to higher ground as the sea receded, a sign that often precedes a tsunami. Although a tsunami warning was later lifted, authorities cautioned against returning to damaged structures due to the risk of aftershocks.

It felt like we were on a trampoline; it was really scary.

— Yulian Juita EkaliaFurther describing the physical sensation of the earthquake.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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