A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, resulting in at least 47 deaths and numerous injuries. The earthquake occurred at 5:58 a.m. local time, approximately 42 miles north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, about a thousand miles east of Jakarta, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. Following the initial quake, a subsequent 6.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded on Sumatra island.
Authorities issued a tsunami warning, advising coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground, but later lifted the warning after the meteorological agency reported no significant sea-level changes, although some smaller tsunamis were noted. Approximately 2,000 residents in the Nagekeo Regency on Flores Island evacuated as a precaution.
The earthquakes caused extensive damage, with the National Disaster Management Agency reporting over 100 public facilities affected, including 87 educational institutions and 18 health facilities. The European Commission has offered assistance through the Copernicus program for mapping and damage assessment to support search and rescue operations. East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko indicated that power outages have hindered communication and rescue efforts, with two individuals reported missing at this time. Emergency crews are actively conducting evacuations and assessing the damage.