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At least 14 people have been killed after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia early on Saturday, according to the country’s disaster mitigation agency.
BPBD said several other people were injured to varying degrees, while warning that the figures remained preliminary as search and rescue operations continued. However, one local rescuer said the death toll had reached at least 20.
Buildings across the affected region were damaged by the powerful earthquake and the dozens of aftershocks that followed.
The earthquake struck the island of Flores shortly before 05:00 local time on Saturday, or 23:00 GMT on Friday. Indonesia’s meteorology and geophysics agency said the quake occurred at a depth of 15km.
Earthquakes that occur at shallower depths generally have stronger and more destructive effects on the surface.
Strong aftershocks were also recorded in the same area, including one measuring 6.1 in magnitude.
Video recorded at the port in Maumere showed large pieces of concrete breaking away from the terminal building and falling onto passengers waiting to board an inter-island ferry. Some people were thrown into the sea after the gangway leading to a ship collapsed.
Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, the governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, told a news conference that some victims were killed in their sleep when buildings and rubble collapsed around them.
Arnold Welianto, who lives in Talibura, a coastal village in Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, said he was awakened by the “very strong shaking”. He immediately became alarmed and went to check on his child.
He said many residents had already fled towards higher ground in the hills.
“Some other residents were standing along the roadside because the sea had also receded,” he explained. “The water remained low for quite some time, so everyone panicked and ran. I went around to the community health centre, and the people there had already been evacuated.”
A tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake but was lifted about three hours after the initial tremor after authorities detected no significant rise in sea levels.
A stream of residents could be seen travelling inland on motorbikes after authorities issued the tsunami warning. BNPB said around 2,000 people had evacuated or moved to safer locations on their own.
The agency said three deaths had been recorded in Sikka province, six in Manggarai province and five in East Manggarai province.
At least two other people were seriously injured, while 11 others suffered minor injuries, the disaster agency added.
Welianto said many residents in Talibura were choosing to remain outside because continued aftershocks had left them too frightened to return to their homes.
Authorities said it would take time to determine the full extent of the destruction because the affected region is remote and mountainous.
Preliminary reports showed that 54 houses had been severely damaged, along with five healthcare facilities, three places of worship, six government buildings, one educational institution and a warehouse.
Manggarai province was among the areas worst affected by the earthquake, BNPB said.
Authorities urged residents to remain calm and stay away from coastal areas as well as buildings and other structures showing signs of damage.
Indonesia is highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity because it lies along the meeting point of three major tectonic plates.
