Two people were reported dead while another was injured after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck waters near Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday, August 15.
According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency or BNPB, a man and a woman were killed at Maumere Port in Sikka Regency.
Another person was reported injured in the province, while several buildings and structures sustained significant damage due to the strong tremor.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 68 kilometers northwest of Ende, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The quake was followed by several strong aftershocks, including magnitude 5.9 and 5.6 tremors, prompting the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency or BMKG to issue a tsunami warning for several coastal areas in South Sulawesi, as well as West and East Nusa Tenggara.
Residents in coastal communities were urged to immediately evacuate to higher ground.
Authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage while monitoring the affected areas for possible aftershocks.
(Photo Courtesy: AFP via Getty Images)
