The death toll from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake near Flores Island, Indonesia, has risen to 47. Landslides and communication disruptions have delayed rescue efforts, raising the possibility of more casualties.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) on August 16, at least 50 people were injured in the earthquake that struck the previous day. The death toll increased by nine during the search for buried victims, up from 38 reported earlier.
A total of 157 homes were severely damaged, and 189 others were affected. Public facilities, including 87 schools, 18 medical facilities, and six government buildings, also sustained damage. Approximately 2,000 residents have sought refuge in temporary shelters.
Rescue operations in mountainous areas affected by landslides are facing challenges. Some remote villages have been buried or isolated, and sections of major roads across Flores Island have been blocked. Power outages and communication failures have further delayed the assessment of the damage.
The earthquake struck at 5:58 a.m. local time on August 15, with the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reporting a depth of 15 kilometers. At least 235 aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 6.2.
A tsunami also occurred in coastal areas. In the Ngada region, waves reached a height of 1.6 meters, inundating the village with mud and debris, and some fishing boats were pushed ashore. Waves of 0.5 to 0.9 meters were observed in parts of Ende and Nusa Tenggara.
The meteorological agency lifted the tsunami warning about three hours after it was issued.
In 1992, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Flores Island resulted in approximately 2,500 deaths.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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