2 weeks ago
Indonesia Quake Death Toll Rises to 47 on Flores Island
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.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck just off the north coast of Flores island in eastern Indonesia, killing at least 47 people.
Rescue official Fathur Rahman reported 50 people injured, and the death toll was raised from 40 late Saturday after an earlier count of 20.
The shallow quake hit around 5:30 am local time Saturday, jolting residents awake; at least two people were known to be trapped alive under rubble.
A tsunami warning was issued and later lifted; waves up to 1.6 metres were reported, and dozens of aftershocks followed, the strongest at magnitude 6.1.
Landslides cut off roads, nearly 160 houses and education and health facilities were damaged, and Indonesia sent 50,000 aid packages weighing 275 tonnes.
- Who
- Rescue and disaster officials in Indonesia, including BNPB chief Suharyanto and rescue official Fathur Rahman, survivors on Flores island such as university lecturer Yulian Juita Ekalia, and international responders including the Red Cross and the European Union.
- What
- A shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island, killing at least 47 people, injuring dozens, and briefly triggering a tsunami warning; earlier reports put the death toll at 20 with six injured.
- Where
- Just off the north coast of Flores island in eastern Indonesia; a second 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Pematangsiantar on Sumatra about 12 hours later.
- When
- Around 5:30 am local time on Saturday (2130 GMT Friday), followed by dozens of aftershocks through the day.
- Why
- Indonesia lies in the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', an arc of intense seismic activity, and experiences frequent earthquakes.
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









