JAKARTA, 15 August (H.S.):

At least two people were killed after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores Island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday, according to Indonesian authorities and the US Geological Survey. The strong offshore earthquake briefly triggered a tsunami warning, prompting residents in several areas to move to safer locations.

The shallow earthquake struck off the northern coast of Flores, with the epicentre located around 68 kilometres northwest of Ende, according to the USGS. The initial tremor was followed by several strong aftershocks, including one measured at magnitude 6.1.

Indonesian disaster management authorities confirmed two fatalities, a man and a woman. Officials said the casualty figures and extent of damage could change as assessment teams continue to inspect affected areas.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) initially warned that the earthquake had the potential to generate tsunami waves. Its modelling indicated possible tsunami impacts in East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara.

An alert was issued for waves ranging from 0.5 metres to three metres. The tsunami warning was later withdrawn after authorities assessed the situation.

The earthquake caused widespread panic in several communities. Residents rushed out of buildings and some moved to higher ground as a precaution. Reports from affected areas indicated damage to buildings, including cracked walls.

Residents in Maumere on Flores Island were also seen moving towards higher ground. Authorities urged people to remain vigilant because strong aftershocks can occur following a major earthquake.

Indonesia is highly vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterised by intense seismic and volcanic activity. The country has experienced several devastating earthquakes and tsunamis over the past several decades.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded, triggered a massive tsunami that killed more than 220,000 people across countries bordering the Indian Ocean, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

In 2018, a powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Sulawesi, while Lombok was also hit by a series of major earthquakes that year. Both disasters caused significant loss of life and extensive damage.

Authorities continue to assess the situation in the affected areas and monitor seismic activity for further aftershocks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar