The death toll from a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in eastern Indonesia has risen to 47, with many others injured. The earthquake, which struck early Saturday, damaged hundreds of homes and various government buildings. — Anadolu
According to a report from state news agency Antara, Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) said 24 of the deaths occurred in Manggarai Regency, 17 in East Manggarai, three in Sikka, one in Nagekeo, and one in Ende.
Authorities said the earthquake severely damaged 157 homes, moderately damaged 41, and caused minor damage to 148 others. Additionally, 87 educational institutions, 18 health centers, five places of worship, and six government offices were damaged.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning for several areas, which was later lifted.
Rescue teams continue search-and-rescue and medical operations. The BNPB has sent food and other essential relief supplies to affected areas. Approximately 2,000 people have been evacuated to safe locations following the earthquake.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck the Flores region at 5:58 a.m. local time Saturday, with an epicenter just 10 kilometers below the earth’s surface.
The main earthquake was followed by 111 aftershocks, one of which measured 6.1 in magnitude. Local media reported that residents in various areas fled their homes and took shelter in the streets amid the powerful tremors.
Separately, another earthquake measuring 6.9 in magnitude struck near Pematangsiantar in North Sumatra province on Saturday. No casualties or significant damage were reported from that quake.
An additional earthquake measuring 5.8 in magnitude also struck Sulawesi on Saturday. Germany’s GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences said the quake’s depth was 72 kilometers, while Indonesia’s BMKG put its magnitude at 6.2 and depth at 44 kilometers.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” With active fault lines and numerous volcanoes in this earthquake-prone region, the country frequently experiences powerful earthquakes.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report