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A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island early Saturday, August 15, triggering a tsunami warning and prompting hundreds of residents to evacuate to higher ground.
The shallow earthquake was recorded off the northern coast of Flores, about 68 kilometres northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the US Geological Survey. Indonesian authorities also reported several strong aftershocks.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned that tsunami waves could affect parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi.
Tsunami waves of less than one metre were subsequently detected in several areas.
Residents in coastal areas rushed to safer locations following the strong tremors.
Reports said buildings were damaged in parts of Flores, while there were no immediate reports of widespread casualties.
The earthquake struck in one of the world’s most seismically active regions, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire.