Deadly 7.7 Quake Strikes Indonesia: 53 Dead, Rescue Operations Intensify On Flores

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia has killed at least 53 people and injured 135, as rescue teams continue digging through collapsed buildings and landslide debris on Flores Island in a desperate search for survivors.

The earthquake struck early Saturday in the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara province, with the US Geological Survey placing its epicentre about 68 km north-northwest of Ende at a depth of around 10 km. The shallow quake sent residents fleeing in panic and triggered landslides across several parts of the island.

Authorities said rescuers recovered six more bodies on Sunday, taking the death toll to 53. The National Disaster Management Agency said 135 people were injured, many suffering fractures. Rescue operations remain focused on Manggarai, East Manggarai and Nagekeo, where collapsed structures and landslides have made some areas difficult to reach.

The scale of the destruction has continued to emerge. More than 1,350 homes have been destroyed or damaged, while schools, health centres and other public facilities have also suffered damage. Around 5,000 people have been evacuated, with many residents choosing to sleep outdoors or in makeshift shelters because of fears that damaged buildings could collapse during further tremors.

The rescue operation has been complicated by nearly 1,000 aftershocks. Authorities recorded 995 aftershocks, although only 46 were felt by residents, according to disaster officials. More than 3,500 military and police personnel have been deployed to help clear rubble, reopen roads and reach isolated communities.

Landslides have blocked sections of the Trans-Flores Highway, while power and communication disruptions have slowed relief operations. In Sikka, one of the worst-hit areas, more than 3,300 people have sought refuge in sports facilities and makeshift camps. Electricity has been mostly restored, although repair work continues on damaged distribution lines.

A tsunami warning issued after the earthquake was later lifted. Small tsunami waves were nevertheless recorded, with the highest reaching about 1.61 metres in the region.

The disaster is the deadliest earthquake in Indonesia since the 2022 West Java quake, according to Reuters. Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.