At Least 20 Dead After Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Indonesia
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RIYADH, August 15 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — At least 20 people were reported dead after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake and dozens of aftershocks struck off eastern Indonesia early Saturday, according to the rescue agency in Maumere.
Fathur Rahman, head of the city’s rescue agency, said teams operating around the port town had found 20 people dead and six injured. Two others remained trapped beneath rubble.
Maumere is the main town in Sikka Regency on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia.
Tsunami waves measuring less than one metre were recorded in several areas after the earthquake. Authorities lifted the tsunami warning approximately three hours after the initial tremor.
Rescue teams had not reached Nagekeo, the region closest to the epicentre, where communications had been disrupted. Fathur said landslides blocked attempts to reach the area by road, while another team was trying to travel there by ferry.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, known as BNPB, said approximately 2,000 residents had evacuated in Nagekeo. Damage was reported to houses, warehouses and government facilities, while parts of the regency experienced power outages and traffic congestion.
East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena separately said at least five people were killed when rubble collapsed on them while they were sleeping.
BNPB issued a lower preliminary toll of one person dead and four injured and said it was continuing to collect information from the affected areas.
Source: Reuters
