A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Flores, killing at least 53 people and displacing nearly 5,000. The strong tremors, recorded at a depth of just 15 kilometers, were followed by 341 aftershocks.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), more than 900 houses and hundreds of other buildings have been severely damaged. Manggarai province is among the worst-hit areas, while casualties have also been reported in East Manggarai, Sikka, Ende, Nagekeo and West Manggarai.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated, while 36 people have suffered serious injuries and 77 others have minor injuries. Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations, while the full extent of the damage has not yet been determined due to the remote and mountainous terrain.
The earthquake also damaged dozens of schools, health centers and government institutions. At Ruteng Regional Hospital, the collapse of the ceilings of the operating room and clinic forced staff to treat patients in makeshift facilities.
Footage released from the port of Maumere shows the moment large chunks of concrete were torn off the terminal building as passengers waited to board the ferry. Several people were thrown into the sea after a ship's walkway collapsed.
Indonesian authorities have begun sending emergency aid and supplies to affected residents. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors, while residents in some areas have moved to the hills, also worried by the movements of the sea after the earthquake.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific's so-called "Ring of Fire," an area of high seismic and volcanic activity. Meanwhile, authorities reported another 6.9-magnitude earthquake in another part of the country.
