Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Flores, Indonesia; tsunami warnings issued

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake rocked the waters off Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, early Saturday morning, triggering tsunami warnings and causing tremors felt across neighboring islands. The quake, which occurred at 5:58 a.m. Central Indonesian Time, had its epicenter in the sea northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early tsunami warning for East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi. Subsequent tide gauge readings confirmed the detection of minor tsunami waves in coastal areas, including Sikka and Labuan Bajo.

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The earthquake was a shock because it occurred during the busy time of getting the children ready for school.

Residents on Lombok Island also reported feeling the strong tremors. Veronika, a resident of Mataram, described the earthquake as a shock that occurred while preparing children for school, noting the swaying sensation caused mild dizziness. Another resident, Adam, recounted waking up to violent shaking in his bedroom and expressed hope that the epicenter area remained safe.

BMKG continues to monitor the situation, advising the public to rely on official government channels for updates regarding sea levels and potential aftershocks. The agency emphasized the importance of vigilance in coastal areas and adherence to emergency instructions.

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I hope nothing bad happens in the epicenter area.