A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Flores on Saturday, shortly before dawn, causing significant destruction and disrupting the safety of hundreds of residents. According to preliminary estimates, at least 51 people have lost their lives, while hundreds more have been left homeless following the collapse or damage of residential buildings. The earthquake, with an epicentral depth of 15 kilometres, caused widespread damage, with official data indicating that more than 900 houses and other buildings suffered serious damage.
In the central part of the island, in the Manggarai region, the situation is particularly severe. There, 24 deaths have been recorded, indicating a high level of casualties in that specific area. In eastern Manggarai, where 17 deaths have been recorded, the situation is also critical. The total number of victims continues to rise, with local authorities and humanitarian organisations facing the challenge of providing aid in hard-to-reach zones.
Mass displacement has become necessary in several provinces. In Sikka province, 3,356 people have been evacuated, while 2,078 people have been evacuated from Manggarai. In East Nusa Tenggara, where 36 people were severely injured and 77 people sustained minor injuries, emergency services are working intensively to provide first aid. The number of injured may increase as assessments of the infrastructure condition and the condition of people in isolated parts of the island are further verified.
Seismic activity following the main earthquake remains intense. A total of 341 aftershocks have been recorded, indicating continuous seismic activity in the region. In addition to the main 7.7 magnitude earthquake, a second significant earthquake of magnitude 6.9 was recorded, further complicating the situation and hindering evacuation operations and the supply of aid to affected areas. Experts warn of the possibility of further earthquakes, which requires caution and constant monitoring of seismic data.
