The death toll from the powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake near Indonesia's Flores Island has reached 20. Modern.az reports, citing AFP rescue services, that the search for people trapped under the rubble continues.
According to reports, the earthquake occurred on the northern coast of Flores Island, in the eastern part of Indonesia. Rescue services stated that the deceased were found in four settlements. Another 6 people were injured, and 2 people are still reported to be under the rubble.
The most severe situation has arisen in the Nagakeo district, the area closest to the epicenter. Landslides have closed several roads, complicating rescue efforts.
After the earthquake, people living in coastal areas immediately moved to higher ground. Previously, a noticeable retreat of seawater level was considered a sign of a tsunami threat.
Although authorities issued a tsunami warning, the warning was canceled a few hours later. However, due to ongoing aftershocks, residents were advised not to return to damaged buildings.
According to the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics, dozens of aftershocks were recorded after the main earthquake. The strongest of them had a magnitude of 6.1. Sea level monitoring continues in the affected areas.
Witnesses reported panic and mass evacuations in the region. People left their settlements on foot, motorcycles, and cars, heading for higher ground.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 68 kilometers northwest of Ende city. The full extent of the damage has not yet been completely determined.
Indonesia frequently experiences strong earthquakes as it is located in the seismically active zone known as the Pacific "Ring of Fire." In 1992, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Flores caused a tsunami and led to the deaths of approximately 2,500 people.
