A massive 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 20 people and leaving behind a path of destruction.
At least six people have been injured, and the search is on for two missing villagers, who are believed to be buried underneath the tons of mud after the landslide. The earthquake has also caused severe damage and collapsed buildings. As per East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko, power outages in cities and villages have hampered the flow of information and complicated search and rescue efforts. He further added that the landslides in Ende regency have cut off the Trans-Flores highway, hampering movement and rescue operations. The powerful earthquake also triggered a tsunami warning. However, three hours after the earthquake and its aftershocks, the tsunami warning was called off.
As per reports, tsunami waves of less than 1 metre (3 feet) were recorded in several areas. Saturday’s earthquake marked the deadliest since a 7.4 magnitude struck off Indonesia’s North Maluku on April 1 earlier this year While Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and tremors due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Head of Maumere Search and Rescue Agency, Fathur Rahman, told the Associated Press that at least 20 bodies were found in Sikka, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai due to the collapse of buildings and landslides in the regions.
