Powerful earthquake strikes off Indonesian coast

A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the coast of East Indonesia early Saturday, triggering tsunami alerts and prompting residents to flee their homes. The quake, occurring at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, was classified as very powerful and was felt strongly for about a minute in areas like Nagekeo and Bima.

Following the main tremor, several aftershocks were recorded. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported these seismic events. Tsunami waves of less than a meter were observed in various locations, according to Reuters. Initially, a tsunami warning was issued for parts of the affected region, but it was later lifted in the early morning hours.

While many people evacuated their residences, immediate reports on the extent of damage caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami waves were not immediately available. A verified Facebook video showed a portion of a building collapsing amidst dust and debris in the port of Maumere on Flores Island, indicating some structural damage.

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences earthquakes. The national disaster management agency had urged residents in coastal areas of Flores Island to move to higher ground immediately after the quake. The country's location makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity, and preparedness for such events is an ongoing concern.