JAKARTA — A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least 33 people and forcing thousands of residents to leave their homes as rescue teams responded to collapsed buildings and other damage.
The earthquake occurred at around 5:58 a.m. local time off the Indonesian coast, with the epicenter about 68 kilometers (42 miles) from Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. It struck at an estimated depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) beneath the surface.
Flores Island bore the brunt of the shaking, with reports of collapsed homes and structures in affected communities.
Fathur Rahman, head of the rescue agency in Maumere, said rescuers initially recovered 20 bodies and found six injured people. Two others were reportedly trapped beneath the rubble as search-and-rescue operations continued.
Local officials later raised the confirmed death toll to 33.
The main quake was followed by two aftershocks, the strongest registering magnitude 6.1, according to initial reports.
Authorities continued rescue and relief efforts while assessing damage across Flores and neighboring areas. Residents in affected communities were urged to remain alert as aftershocks could cause additional structural collapses.
Sourced online/elamigo/xf
