A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island, Indonesia, early Saturday morning. Authorities report at least 47 deaths as rescue teams work through debris in remote areas. The quake occurred at approximately 5 a.m. local time, centered in waters north of the island.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for high tectonic plate convergence and frequent seismic activity. The National Disaster Management agency confirmed that many victims were in the Manggarai Regency, where landslides caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
Emergency crews are currently assessing the impact on road access and communication lines, which remain limited due to the island geography. While a tsunami warning was issued immediately following the quake, officials lifted the alert later in the day. Authorities have urged residents in the affected regions to stay vigilant as aftershocks continue across the area.
Local teams are currently supporting the recovery efforts and providing aid to displaced individuals, including thousands who evacuated their homes as a precaution. The government continues to coordinate the response to reach those in isolated villages.