Indonesia quake kills 20, sends thousands fleeing in Flores

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 20 people, injuring others, and sending thousands fleeing to higher ground. The quake, which hit at around 5:30 am local time, rattled the popular tourist island and left residents shaken, with rescue efforts underway to find those trapped under rubble.

Rescue official Fathur Rahman confirmed at least 20 fatalities and six injuries, with two people known to be trapped alive under debris. The focus has shifted to locating victims, but landslides have cut off roads, complicating rescue operations.

What happened during the Flores earthquake?

Residents described terrifying moments as the earth shook violently. Yulian Juita Ekalia, a 37-year-old university lecturer in Ruteng city, more than 100 kilometres west of the epicentre, told AFP: “I have never felt an earthquake this big. It felt like we were on a trampoline; it was really scary.” She said her home was thrown into chaos, with the television, her son's trophies, and dish racks crashing to the floor as she rushed outside.

In Nagekeo, near the epicentre, residents raced for higher ground as the sea retreated, a possible sign of an approaching tsunami. While the tsunami warning was later lifted, authorities urged people to stay away from damaged buildings due to aftershocks, the strongest measuring 6.1 magnitude.

How did residents and local officials respond?

Yohanes Babo, 56, was at a market when the quake struck. “The shaking was strong. Thankfully, we were already outside the house,” he told AFP. “People were panicking, running here and there. We're evacuating for the time being... and trying to get to the hills.”

In Maumere, hospital customer service official Lukas Lotar saw patients flee as walls cracked. Many residents remained outside by lunchtime, with some cooking on portable stoves, fearing further tremors. Yulian, who saw images of her university badly damaged online, said she was “grateful that the quake happened on a Saturday morning when there was no campus activity.”

Why is Indonesia prone to earthquakes?

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. This region experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making disasters like this a recurring threat.

Flores itself was struck by a 7.7-magnitude quake in 1992, which triggered a tsunami and killed around 2,500 people. The 2004 Sumatra earthquake, a 9.1-magnitude event, caused a tsunami that killed 220,000 people across the region, including 170,000 in Indonesia. More recently, a 2018 quake on Lombok killed over 550 people, and a 7.5-magnitude quake and tsunami on Sulawesi left more than 4,300 dead or missing.

What is the current situation in Flores?

The epicentre of the shallow quake was just off the north coast of Flores, a largely rural area with few high-rise buildings. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. Rescue teams are working to reach trapped victims, but landslides have blocked key roads, slowing progress.

Long queues of people were seen evacuating on foot, by motorbike, and in cars, some piled into pickup trucks, after the initial tsunami warning. Authorities have urged caution as aftershocks continue to rattle the island.

Frequently asked questions about the Flores earthquake

How many people were killed in the Indonesia earthquake?

At least 20 people were confirmed dead, with six others injured, according to rescue official Fathur Rahman. Two people were known to be trapped alive under rubble.

Was there a tsunami warning after the quake?

Yes, a tsunami warning was issued initially after the sea retreated near Nagekeo, but it was later lifted. Authorities still advised residents to avoid damaged buildings due to aftershocks.

What caused the earthquake in Flores?

The quake was caused by Indonesia's location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of intense seismic activity where tectonic plates collide, leading to frequent earthquakes.

How does this compare to past earthquakes in Indonesia?

Flores experienced a similar 7.7-magnitude quake in 1992 that killed 2,500 people. The 2004 Sumatra quake was far more devastating, with 220,000 deaths across the region. This quake's toll is still being assessed, but the area's rural nature may limit structural damage.