Saturday, October 26, 2023 – Rescue teams in Indonesia have been mobilized in response to a major earthquake that struck the island of Flores, Indonesia, registering a magnitude of 7.7 and measuring a depth of 15 kilometers. The quake, which struck at 05:00 GMT on Friday, has triggered a series of aftershocks, intensifying the crisis and highlighting the region’s geological vulnerability. The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BPMB) reported that preliminary data indicates hundreds of buildings have been severely damaged, and dozens of aftershocks have followed, further complicating rescue operations.
The earthquake struck Flores, a relatively low-lying island in the eastern part of Indonesia, and had a depth of 15 kilometers, which contributed to the significant ground movement and subsequent aftershocks. The full extent of the disaster remains largely unknown, and news of a second, magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurring at a distant location further south has served as a stark reminder of the region’s seismic risk. Indonesia, situated along the Ring of Fire – a zone of intense tectonic activity – is frequently struck by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Tremors were felt by residents as far west as Bima Regency and City, with the Manggarai province being particularly affected. The BNPB estimates that 24 fatalities had been recorded in the region of Bima Regency and City, while 17 deaths were recorded in the East Manggarai province, three in Sikka province, and at least one death in each of the Ngada, Ende, and West Manggarai provinces. At least two other individuals were seriously injured, and eleven slightly injured individuals were also reported.
The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) announced that aid was being sent to the affected areas, with a total of 10,500 packages arriving at the base operations. It is estimated that at least 150 houses have been severely damaged, and dozens of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and public offices have been impacted. Video footage from the port in Maumere, the largest town in Flores, showed significant concrete damage to the terminal building, with chunks of concrete breaking off and falling onto passengers waiting to board an inter-island ferry. Some passengers were thrown into the sea when the gangway to a ship collapsed.
The BNPB also stated that a tsunami warning was initially issued, leading to the self-evacuation of 2,000 people, but it was lifted around three hours after the initial jolt, when no significant sea level rise was detected. Landslides, however, did block access to some villages, but the experienced rescue teams worked tirelessly throughout the day to free trapped individuals under the rubble. In Ruteng, a temporary medical tent was assembled outside of a hospital to provide immediate care to earthquake victims.
The ongoing advice from the BNPB is for people to remain calm and to avoid coastal areas and structures showing signs of damage. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, lying along the meeting point of three major tectonic plates. The government has pledged to provide assistance to affected communities and to continue monitoring the situation.”
[Source: BBC News]
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Source: BBC News
