A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 68 people and injuring more than 200, while thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes, according to authorities.
The earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province. The shallow tremor caused widespread damage to houses and public buildings and triggered landslides that blocked roads and cut off several communities.
Indonesia's disaster management authorities said more than 4,500 homes and other buildings were damaged. Rescue workers, soldiers and police personnel have been deployed to search damaged buildings and areas affected by landslides.
Relief operations have been complicated by continuing aftershocks. Authorities have reported nearly 1,600 aftershocks since the main earthquake. Emergency teams are delivering food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies to affected communities, including areas that are difficult to reach by road.
Several medical facilities were also damaged, prompting authorities to establish temporary medical centres to treat injured residents. Thousands of people are currently staying in temporary shelters.
The earthquake also disrupted Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations on Monday. President Prabowo Subianto observed a moment of silence for the victims and called for prayers for those affected by the disaster.
A tsunami warning issued after the earthquake was later lifted. Small tsunami waves were recorded in some coastal areas, while authorities continued to monitor the situation because of ongoing seismic activity.
East Nusa Tenggara has declared a 14-day state of emergency to speed up rescue, relief and recovery operations. Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and search for survivors as emergency teams work to restore access to affected communities.
The earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province. The shallow tremor caused widespread damage to houses and public buildings and triggered landslides that blocked roads and cut off several communities.
Indonesia's disaster management authorities said more than 4,500 homes and other buildings were damaged. Rescue workers, soldiers and police personnel have been deployed to search damaged buildings and areas affected by landslides.
Relief operations have been complicated by continuing aftershocks. Authorities have reported nearly 1,600 aftershocks since the main earthquake. Emergency teams are delivering food, drinking water, medicines and other essential supplies to affected communities, including areas that are difficult to reach by road.
Several medical facilities were also damaged, prompting authorities to establish temporary medical centres to treat injured residents. Thousands of people are currently staying in temporary shelters.
The earthquake also disrupted Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations on Monday. President Prabowo Subianto observed a moment of silence for the victims and called for prayers for those affected by the disaster.
A tsunami warning issued after the earthquake was later lifted. Small tsunami waves were recorded in some coastal areas, while authorities continued to monitor the situation because of ongoing seismic activity.
East Nusa Tenggara has declared a 14-day state of emergency to speed up rescue, relief and recovery operations. Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and search for survivors as emergency teams work to restore access to affected communities.