Powerful earthquake struck Indonesia - at least five people dead
Kyiv • UNN
At least five people were killed as a result of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Indonesia’s Flores Island. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and the tsunami warning has been lifted.
At least five people were killed as a result of a magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck Indonesia early Saturday morning, according to the governor of the affected province, UNN reports, citing the BBC.
Details
The governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, said at a press conference that people were killed in their sleep by falling debris.
Search-and-rescue teams are continuing efforts to free everyone trapped in buildings damaged by the earthquake and dozens of aftershocks that followed. A tsunami warning was issued, but it was lifted approximately three hours after the initial tremor.
The earthquake struck the island of Flores shortly before 05:00 local time. Its depth was 15 km, according to a statement by Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency.
Strong aftershocks were felt in the same area, including one measuring 6.1 in magnitude.
Video filmed at the port of Maumere shows large chunks of concrete breaking off the terminal building onto passengers waiting to board an inter-island ferry. Some were thrown into the sea when the gangway to the ship collapsed.
A stream of people on motorcycles moved inland after authorities issued a tsunami warning.
