7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 47 in Indonesia

At least 47 people have been killed after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck early in the morning off the coast of Indonesia on Aug. 15.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of about six miles near Ende, which is located in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, at 5:58 a.m. local time. About two million people experienced strong or violent shaking caused by the earthquake.

Saturday’s earthquake in Indonesia triggered dozens of aftershocks, according to the USGS. These included a 6.1-magnitude quake. The USGS forecasted that there could be up to 3,100 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks within the next week.

Suharyanto, the head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, said that at least 47 bodies have been recovered, with most of them found in East Manggarai, Manggarai, and Sikka. At least 50 people were hospitalized following the earthquake.

The earthquake destroyed at least 157 houses, damaged almost 200 other homes, and destroyed over 100 public facilities, according to Suharyanto, who uses a single name like many other Indonesians. About 2,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes and relocate to temporary shelters.

Fathur Rahman, head of the Search and Rescue Office in Maumere, the capital of the Sikka regency in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, warned that the death toll could rise due to earthquake-triggered landslides.

Rahman said some of the remote villages on Flores Island were completely buried. He added that rescue efforts had been hindered by damaged infrastructure and a lack of heavy equipment.

East Nusa Tenggara police chief Rudi Darmoko said the search and rescue efforts were also hindered by power outages, which prevented information about the earthquake from quickly spreading across Indonesia.

“We are continuing to collect reports of damage and casualties, but there are communication disruptions,” Darmoko said.

The U.S. embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, issued an alert on Aug. 15, warning that aftershocks remained ongoing throughout the country.

“Currently, electricity and communication are disrupted in areas affected by the earthquakes,” the embassy said. “Expect delays and postponement of flights and ferries to and from affected areas.”

The U.S. embassy also recommended that people avoid coastal areas and roads in East Nusa Tenggara.

Indonesian authorities initially issued a tsunami warning but later reversed it after the country’s meteorological agency, BMKG, determined that there were no significant sea-level changes following the earthquake.

However, some small tsunamis were documented in Manggarai and East Manggarai. In addition, 3.1-foot waves were observed in Maurole and 1.6-foot waves were tracked in Bulukumba and Sape.

World leaders offered condolences and support for the people of Indonesia following Saturday’s deadly earthquake.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and widespread devastation caused by the earthquake in Indonesia,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in an Aug. 15 statement on social media.

“Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly people of Indonesia and wishes strength and resilience to all those facing this difficult time.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe was prepared to deploy Copernicus, a satellite observation system, to support search-and-rescue efforts in Indonesia.

“My thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones in this devastating earthquake,” she said. “Indonesia, we stand with you.”

Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organization was coordinating with health authorities. He also confirmed that national emergency medical teams had been deployed to provide emergency healthcare for communities affected by the earthquake.

USGS said that earthquakes are common in the region where the 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Saturday, with 37 other earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater occurring there since 1950.

It noted that five earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher were recorded within 155 miles of Saturday’s earthquake in that same time, including a 1992 earthquake and tsunami that caused at least 2,500 fatalities and destroyed tens of thousands of homes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.