At least five killed after magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

At least five people were killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake and dozens of aftershocks struck off eastern Indonesia early Saturday, according to the governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province. Tsunami waves of less than one metre were recorded in several areas before authorities lifted the warning about three hours after the earthquake.

East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena told a press conference that five people died after falling rubble struck them while they were sleeping.

However, Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency BNPB reported one death and four injuries.


The earthquake caused damage in several areas and sent residents rushing out of their homes. A video posted on Facebook and verified by Reuters showed part of a building collapsing into dust and rubble at a port in Maumere, the main town in Sikka Regency on Flores Island. People could be heard screaming as they ran into the street.

"The quake was massive, the shock was so strong, we were resting at home with family," said Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura village in East Nusa Tenggara. "There were 13 of us inside the house and we all ran to save ourselves."

Strong shaking reported across several provinces

BNPB said strong shaking was felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and parts of South Sulawesi. Residents in several areas reported that the shaking lasted for about one minute.

"Most of the people felt the shock and scattered out of their homes," BNPB said.

Footage from Kompas TV showed a hospital in Ende district moving patients outside following the earthquake. Kompas.com also reported at least one landslide.

Indonesia's geophysics agency BMKG recorded the first earthquake at 4:58 a.m. local time at a depth of 15 kilometres. Several aftershocks followed.

Around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo evacuated after the earthquake, BNPB said. Authorities reported damage to houses, warehouses and government facilities, while traffic congestion and power outages affected parts of the regency.

Tsunami warning lifted

Tsunami waves measuring less than one metre were recorded in several parts of Indonesia following the undersea earthquake. Authorities lifted the tsunami warning around three hours later.

Australia's tsunami warning centre said the earthquake would have "no tsunami threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories".

Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes because it sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire", a seismically active region where tectonic plates meet and where many earthquakes and volcanoes occur.

with inputs from Reuters