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Maumere (Indonesia). A powerful earthquake of 7.7 magnitude caused massive devastation off the coast of Indonesia early Saturday morning. Many houses and buildings collapsed due to the earthquake. At least 20 people died in the accident, while six people were injured. Two other people are feared buried under the debris of the landslide, rescue operations are underway to search for them.

Tsunami warning issued, later withdrawn

After the earthquake, officials issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas and appealed to people to move to higher places. However, the warning was later withdrawn. According to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, no significant change in sea level was found that could pose a threat to coastal areas.

According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometers in the Flores region at 5:58 am local time. Its epicenter was about 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende city in East Nusa Tenggara province. After the initial shock, several aftershocks were also felt.

20 bodies recovered from the debris

Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere search and rescue agency, said at least 20 bodies have been recovered from the three affected areas of Sikka, West Mangrai and East Mangrai. These include eight bodies found under the debris of landslide in Reok village of Mangrai. Six seriously injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals. Rescue teams are searching for two villagers who are feared buried under the debris.

Electricity failure, difficulty in relief operation

East Nusa Tenggara police chief Rudy Darmoko said the earthquake caused many buildings to collapse and widespread damage. Due to power failure in many cities and villages, there are difficulties in gathering information and relief operations. The Trans-Flores Highway was also disrupted by landslides in Ende regency caused by the earthquake.

Patients were evacuated from hospitals

Local television footage showed patients being evacuated from several hospitals as a precaution. Hospital staff evacuated essential equipment, including beds, drip stands and oxygen cylinders, and set up makeshift treatment centers to deal with emergencies. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, about 2,000 villagers in Nageko regency have fled their homes and taken shelter in temporary shelters.

The waiting room of the port also collapsed

Yohana Embu, a resident of Sikka Regency, said that many buildings were damaged due to the strong tremors. He informed about the collapse of the waiting room of Maumere Port Terminal. St. Peter Major Seminary on Flores Island also collapsed during the earthquake. The seminary's head priest, Gidelbertus Tanga, said students and nuns attending morning prayers ran outside after the roof of the auditorium collapsed. During this time, a priest got injured in his leg after jumping from the second floor of the building.

Danger of earthquake due to being in 'Ring of Fire'

Indonesia, with about 17 thousand islands, is located in the 'Ring of Fire' region of the Pacific Ocean. This area is considered extremely sensitive to earthquakes and volcanic activities. Earlier in December 1992, a tsunami following an earthquake of about seven magnitude had caused massive devastation in Flores Island and killed about 2,500 people.