A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia on Saturday, claiming at least 20 lives and prompting thousands to evacuate to higher ground. Rescue efforts continue as aftershocks and landslides complicate search operations.

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitude struck off the north coast of Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday, resulting in at least 20 confirmed deaths across four towns in the region. According to rescue official Fathur Rahman, the disaster also left six people injured and two still trapped beneath rubble as of Saturday afternoon. The epicentre was located approximately 68 kilometres northwest of the coastal town of Ende, according to US and Indonesian authorities.

The earthquake triggered immediate mass evacuations as residents fled to higher ground, with many witnessing the sea receding—a potential tsunami warning sign. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency initially issued a tsunami alert but later lifted it while continuing to monitor sea levels. Rescue operations have been significantly hampered by numerous aftershocks, including one measuring 6.1 magnitude, as well as landslides that have blocked access roads to affected areas. Two people were reported to have been rescued alive from debris in the neighbouring Manggarai regency, though officials warned residents not to return to damaged structures due to ongoing aftershock risks.

Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion in the immediate aftermath. Lukas Lotar, a hospital official in Maumere, reported that patients fled medical facilities and numerous walls sustained visible cracks. Another resident, Yohanes Babo, recounted being at a market when the shaking began and subsequently joining crowds evacuating toward higher elevations. The affected region consists primarily of small towns and villages with limited high-rise infrastructure, potentially affecting overall casualty patterns.

Flores island's vulnerability to seismic events reflects Indonesia's location within the Pacific Ring of Fire. The 1992 earthquake that struck the same island measured 7.7 magnitude and triggered a tsunami that killed approximately 2,500 people.