Powerful 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia, Buildings Collapse, Reports of Victims

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake has struck the "Ring of Fire" near Indonesia's Flores Island, causing buildings to collapse and prompting a tsunami warning for coastal areas. Initial reports suggest at least twenty people have died.

The epicenter was located about 68 kilometers northwest of Ende, according to the USGS, at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers. This shallow depth intensified the quake's impact on the surface, making it widely felt across the island. Two strong aftershocks, measuring 5.6 and 5.9 magnitude, followed the initial tremor.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning, urging residents in vulnerable coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground. However, the warning was later lifted. "We have lifted (the tsunami warning), but we continue to monitor the sea level," said Wijayanto, director of the earthquake and tsunami division at BMKG, during a press conference.

Footage circulating online shows an entire building shaking at the Maumere port, highlighting the severity of the seismic event. Authorities are conducting checks to assess damage to buildings and homes and to search for anyone trapped.

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We have lifted (the tsunami warning), but we continue to monitor the sea level.