Magnitude 7.7 quake in NTT causes 14 deaths, thousands flee

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake rocked the waters off Indonesia's Flores Island on Saturday, leaving at least 14 people dead and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The seismic event, centered near Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, also triggered a tsunami warning.

National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Berton Panjaitan reported that 2,000 residents were displaced by the quake. The disaster also inflicted severe damage on numerous public facilities, including health centers, educational institutions, and food storage warehouses.

As of Saturday afternoon, the highest number of fatalities, six, was recorded in Manggarai Regency. Sikka Regency reported three deaths, while Manggarai Timur Regency counted five. Two individuals sustained serious injuries, and 11 others suffered minor wounds across Sikka, Nagekeo, Manggarai, and Manggarai Timur regencies.

Panjaitan emphasized that these figures are preliminary and subject to change as local disaster management agencies and relevant parties continue their verification and validation processes. The earthquake's intensity prompted many residents to evacuate independently, especially following the tsunami warning issued in its aftermath.