A second major earthquake struck Indonesia on Saturday, hours after a powerful 7.7-magnitude quake hit the country’s Flores region, killing at least 38 people and injuring 13 others.
The 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), hours after the earlier 7.7-magnitude tremor devastated the Flores region. The NCS said the 6.5-magnitude quake occurred at 4:24 pm IST on August 15, with its epicentre located at 3.043°N latitude and 99.105°E longitude. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage from this second, later tremor.
The earlier and deadlier earthquake struck Nagekeo district in East Nusa Tenggara, leaving at least 38 people dead and 13 injured, according to Indonesia’s disaster management agency. Two of the injured were in serious condition, while the remaining 11 suffered minor injuries. Around 2,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes as authorities responded to the disaster.
The powerful quake damaged and collapsed buildings and triggered landslides, while blocked roads hampered rescue and relief operations. Communication problems and difficult access to areas near the epicentre further complicated the response effort.
A tsunami warning was issued following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake but was later lifted after authorities determined there was no significant continuing threat. Residents in areas close to the epicentre reportedly moved to higher ground as a precaution after the warning was issued.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone of intense seismic activity that makes it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, with the archipelago nation experiencing frequent tremors of varying magnitude throughout the year.
— Daily Archives, World Desk