Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Indonesia, Killing at Least Five

Buildings Damaged, Residents Evacuated

Reports from the affected region described damaged and collapsed buildings, landslides and interruptions to electricity and communications. Around 2,000 people in Nagekeo were reported to have evacuated their homes, while medical facilities in some areas moved patients outdoors as a safety precaution.

Strong Aftershocks Follow Main Quake

The main earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks across the Flores region. BMKG continued recording seismic activity through Saturday morning and advised residents to remain alert for further aftershocks.

Why Indonesia Experiences Frequent Earthquakes

Indonesia lies along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', one of the world’s most seismically active regions. The country sits near the boundaries of several tectonic plates, making earthquakes and volcanic activity relatively frequent.

The Flores region has experienced destructive earthquakes in the past. A major earthquake and tsunami struck Flores in 1992, causing widespread devastation and thousands of deaths.

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