Massive 7.7 earthquake kills 38, triggers landslides in Indonesia

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s coast early Saturday, killing at least 38 people and triggering landslides that disrupted infrastructure and displaced hundreds. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, hit the Flores region at 5:58 a.m. local time, approximately 68 kilometers northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. Initial reports indicated widespread damage, with buildings collapsing and panic spreading among residents. Authorities confirmed that at least 38 individuals lost their lives, with six injured and two still missing. Rescuers working in the hardest-hit regencies of Sikka, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai recovered bodies from the wreckage. In the village of Reok within Manggarai, eight victims were found in a landslide that swept through the area. Six others were hospitalized with serious injuries, while searches continued for two people presumed to be buried under debris. The earthquake prompted immediate action from local officials. East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko noted that the quake caused severe structural damage and led to power outages, complicating communication and hindering search and rescue efforts. Landslides in Ende Regency blocked the Trans-Flores highway, a critical route connecting Flores Island from Labuan Bajo to Larantuka. This disruption further isolated affected regions and hindered emergency response operations. In response to the crisis, the National Disaster Management Agency deployed a helicopter to aid in logistics and support evacuation efforts if necessary. Given the challenging terrain of East Nusa Tenggara, which includes numerous islands and rugged landscapes, air support proved essential for reaching remote areas. Approximately 2,000 villagers in Nagekeo regency sought shelter in temporary locations, highlighting the scale of displacement caused by the disaster. Local television footage captured scenes of chaos, with patients being evacuated from hospitals as a precautionary measure. Medical staff relocated beds, IV stands, and oxygen cylinders to outdoor spaces, setting up temporary treatment zones. The situation underscored the vulnerability of healthcare facilities in the face of sudden seismic events. Residents described the intensity of the quake, noting that buildings were damaged and people rushed to higher ground. Yohanna Embu, a resident of Sikka regency, reported that the waiting room at the port terminal in Maumere collapsed, illustrating the extensive impact on public infrastructure. At St. Peter Major Seminary in Sikka, students attending morning Mass fled in panic when the roof of an assembly hall collapsed. Reverend Guidelbertus Tanga, the seminary’s rector, stated that at least one priest sustained a broken leg after jumping from the second floor of a building during the quake. Panic also spread to Labuan Bajo, a key gateway to Komodo National Park, and damage was reported in Bima, a city in neighboring regions. The earthquake was felt across much of Flores Island, with initial assessments suggesting heavy damage. Dozens of aftershocks followed the main quake, the strongest measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. These secondary shocks added to the uncertainty and danger faced by residents. Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning shortly after the quake, urging coastal populations to move inland. While the warning was later lifted based on observations from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, residents were advised against returning to damaged structures due to the risk of collapse from subsequent tremors. The agency emphasized ongoing monitoring of sea levels to ensure public safety. This earthquake marks another tragic chapter in Indonesia’s long history of seismic disasters. The nation, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. Past incidents include a 7.7-magnitude quake in 1992 that triggered a tsunami and claimed nearly 2,500 lives, and the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed over 220,000 people, including 170,000 in Indonesia. More recently, a 2018 earthquake on Lombok island resulted in over 550 fatalities. These historical events highlight the persistent threat posed by geological activity in the region.