Rescue teams search for survivors in Indonesia after powerful earthquake

Rescue teams are diligently sifting through the rubble of collapsed buildings and landslide debris in eastern Indonesia as they search for survivors and bodies in the aftermath of a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake. The tremor struck on Saturday, leaving a trail of devastation.

The national disaster management agency reported that at least 47 people have died, with more than 100 injured and thousands displaced. The hardest-hit areas appear to be Manggarai regency, where 24 fatalities were recorded, and neighboring East Manggarai, which reported 17 deaths. Additional casualties have also been confirmed in Sikka, Ngada, and Ende regencies.

Search and rescue operations are particularly focused on areas affected by landslides, which were triggered by the earthquake across six regencies on Flores island. Flores is a predominantly Catholic island within the Muslim-majority nation of Indonesia. Rescuers are racing against time, hoping to find anyone still trapped beneath the earth.

The full extent of the damage and the final casualty count are still being determined as the search continues amidst the challenging conditions.