7.7-Magnitude Earthquake in Eastern Indonesia Kills at Least 38
Indonesian authorities say a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in the east of the country has killed at least 38 people and injured several others. The quake struck on Saturday morning, and rescue teams are still trying to reach areas close to the epicentre.
According to Suharyanto, head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, by 3 p.m. 38 people had been killed, two others had suffered serious injuries and 11 more had been lightly injured. He added that about 2,000 people had also been moved to safe areas to save their lives.
In the port city of Maumere, rescuers have pulled 20 bodies from under the rubble. Six injured people and two others still trapped beneath the debris have also been identified.
Local officials said some residents were still trapped in damaged buildings and landslides had blocked several roads. They said the situation had made it difficult for rescue teams to access the affected areas.
Rescuers have still not been able to reach Nagikau, one of the areas near the epicentre. The closure of land routes due to landslides and damage to telecommunications networks has complicated rescue operations.
Reports say about 2,000 residents of Nagikau have been evacuated, and homes, warehouses and government buildings in the area have been damaged. Power cuts and traffic congestion were also reported as consequences of the disaster.
The governor of East Nusa Tenggara said at least five people were killed when buildings collapsed while they were asleep. Following the earthquake, tsunami waves of less than one metre were recorded in several areas, but the tsunami warning was lifted about three hours later.
Indonesia is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries and, because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has repeatedly experienced earthquakes and volcanic activity.
