Five dead after 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia

JAKARTA, Aug 15: At least five people have died after a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Saturday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering a tsunami warning that was later lifted.

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena said the five victims were killed when buildings collapsed while they were sleeping. Rescue teams were working to search damaged buildings and assess the extent of the destruction.

The earthquake struck near Flores Island at a shallow depth, with strong aftershocks reported across the region. One aftershock measured 6.1 in magnitude.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning shortly after the main quake, prompting residents in coastal areas to move inland and seek higher ground. The warning was lifted about three hours later after no major tsunami threat was detected, although waves of less than one meter were reported in some areas.

Footage from the port city of Maumere showed sections of a terminal building collapsing as passengers waited to board an inter-island ferry. Some people were reportedly thrown into the sea when a gangway collapsed.

Around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo were evacuated, while homes, warehouses and government facilities were among the structures damaged. Power outages and communication disruptions were also reported.

Indonesia's national disaster agency, BNPB, urged residents to remain calm and stay away from coastal areas and buildings that had sustained cracks or structural damage.

Authorities said assessments were continuing to determine the full extent of the casualties and damage in the remote, mountainous region.