Magnitude 7.7 Quake Strikes Off Indonesia's Coast, Toppling Buildings and Killing at Least 5

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted Indonesia's Flores region early Saturday, triggering widespread panic, toppling buildings and homes, and claiming the lives of at least five individuals. The tremor, occurring at a depth of 10 kilometers, struck at 5:58 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province.

In the immediate aftermath, authorities issued a tsunami warning, urging coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground. However, the warning was later rescinded by Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency after monitoring indicated no significant sea-level changes that would pose a threat. Despite the lifted tsunami alert, the earthquake's impact was severe, with preliminary reports indicating two fatalities in Sikka Regency and three in Manggarai Regency.

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We are continuing to collect reports of damages and casualties, but there are communication disruptions.

Search and rescue operations are facing significant challenges due to widespread power outages and communication disruptions across affected cities and villages. These disruptions are hampering the collection of damage reports and complicating efforts to reach those in need. Footage shared on local television depicted hospital patients being evacuated as a precautionary measure, with medical staff setting up temporary outdoor treatment areas.

The quake's tremors were felt across much of Flores island, causing substantial damage, including the collapse of a waiting room at the L. Say port in Maumere. Panic also spread to neighboring West Nusa Tenggara province, and damages were reported in parts of southern Sulawesi island. Indonesia, situated on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," is highly susceptible to seismic activity due to its location on numerous fault lines.

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Many buildings here were damaged ... I saw that the waiting room at the port terminal in Maumere had collapsed.