2 weeks ago

Indonesia Quake Death Toll Rises to 47 on Flores Island

Indonesia Quake Death Toll Rises to 47 on Flores Island
Rescuers Search for Survivors as Indonesian Quake Death Toll Rises to 47 · deccanchronicle.com

A very big earthquake, a 7.7-magnitude quake, shook the island of Flores in Indonesia early in the morning.

It was so strong that one woman said it felt like jumping on a trampoline.

Things fell off shelves, walls cracked, and many houses, schools, and health facilities were damaged.

At least 47 people lost their lives, and many others were hurt.

Rescue workers dug through broken buildings, looking for people who might still be trapped inside.

Landslides blocked the roads, which made it hard for rescuers to reach everyone.

Right after the earthquake, there was a warning that a giant wave called a tsunami might come, so people ran to higher ground.

The warning was later lifted, but smaller earthquakes called aftershocks kept shaking the island.

The government sent food and supplies to help people who could not stay in their homes.

Indonesia has many earthquakes because it sits on the 'Ring of Fire,' a place where the Earth's plates move a lot.

Key facts

Magnitude
7.7; a second 6.9 quake struck near Pematangsiantar, Sumatra
Location
Off the north coast of Flores island, eastern Indonesia
Death toll
At least 47, raised from 40; earlier reports said 20
Injured
50 per rescue official Fathur Rahman; earlier reports said 6
Time of quake
Around 5:30 am local time Saturday (2130 GMT Friday)
Aftershocks
Dozens; strongest at magnitude 6.1
Tsunami warning
Issued, then lifted; waves up to 1.6 metres reported
Damage and aid
Nearly 160 houses and public buildings damaged; 50,000 aid packages (275 tonnes) sent

Quotes

Yulian Juita Ekalia

University lecturer from Ruteng, 37 years old

“"I have never felt an earthquake this big. It felt like we were on a trampoline; it was really scary."”
NDTV deccanchronicle.com
“"We are focusing on locating victims who may be buried under rubble," he told AFP.”
deccanchronicle.com

Ursula von der Leyen

European Union chief, European Commission President

“"Europe stands ready to deploy Copernicus, our eyes in the sky, to support search and rescue efforts. Indonesia, we stand with you."”
deccanchronicle.com

Sources

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