2 weeks ago
7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia; Buildings Collapse, Residents Flee
Early Saturday morning, a very strong earthquake happened near Indonesia.
The earthquake was very powerful, with a magnitude of 7.7.
It struck near the island of Flores, which is in eastern Indonesia.
The shaking was strong enough to make buildings fall down and break.
A warning said a giant wave called a tsunami might come, but it was cancelled later.
People ran out of hotels, homes, and even a church school to be safe.
Some people were hurt, and at least two people lost their lives.
Hospitals moved beds and equipment outside so they could still help patients.
Rescuers checked damaged buildings, including ones at the port, for anyone who needed help.
Scientists and officials are still counting how much damage and how many people were affected.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia's Flores region, about 68 kilometres northwest of Ende, early Saturday morning.
Indonesia's geophysics agency initially issued a tsunami warning, which was ultimately lifted.
Preliminary reports from the Maumere Search and Rescue Agency said at least two people were killed and two others injured.
Buildings collapsed, including structures at Jayakarta Hotel, L. Say port, and the Maumere port terminal waiting room, while an assembly hall roof caved in at St Peter Major Seminary in Sikka.
Hospitals evacuated patients and moved beds, IV stands, and oxygen cylinders outside, setting up temporary treatment areas.
- Who
- Residents of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, including students and nuns at St Peter Major Seminary in Sikka, with rescuers from the Maumere Search and Rescue Agency and officials from BMKG and the US Geological Survey.
- What
- A magnitude 7.7 earthquake caused building collapses, injuries, and evacuations, and triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted.
- Where
- About 68 kilometres northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, eastern Indonesia, with damage reported in Sikka, Maumere, and Talibura.
- When
- Early Saturday morning, 15 August, around 5:58–6 am local time.
- Why
- The powerful earthquake's shaking collapsed and damaged buildings, forcing evacuations as a precaution; a tsunami warning was issued and subsequently lifted.
Key facts
- Magnitude
- 7.7
- Epicentre
- About 68 km northwest of Ende, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
- Depth
- 10 km
- Time
- 5:58 am local time (USGS)
- Casualties
- At least 2 killed, 2 injured (preliminary reports)
- Tsunami warning
- Issued by BMKG, later lifted
- Damage report
- Collapsed buildings at Jayakarta Hotel, Maumere port terminal and L. Say port; seminary assembly hall roof caved in
Quotes
Rev. Guidelbertus Tanga
Parish priest at St. Peter Major Seminary
“Many buildings here were damaged … I saw that the waiting room at the port terminal in Maumere had collapsed.”
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“the students and nuns at the school rushed out in panic beneath a collapsing roof”
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