At least 20 people were killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores region early today, collapsing buildings, triggering landslides and causing widespread panic. Six people were injured and two remained missing.
The quake prompted a tsunami warning that was later lifted after monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes. Power outages and communication disruptions hampered rescue and damage assessments, while hospitals evacuated patients and moved equipment outdoors.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 10 km, about 68 km north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara. Several aftershocks followed.
Rescuers recovered 20 bodies across Sikka, West Manggarai and East Manggarai, including eight from a landslide in Reok. Authorities said severe damage and building collapses were reported across the affected areas.
