Indonesia: Earthquake death toll rises to 47, with 235 aftershocks recorded

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday rose to at least 47, as rescue teams continued search operations in affected areas amid difficulties caused by landslides and communication disruptions.

Reuters, citing Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), reported that rescue teams have not yet been able to reach some areas closest to the earthquake’s epicenter, as landslides blocked roads and disrupted communication networks.

In the city of Maumere on Flores Island, rescue teams found 20 bodies, while six people were injured and two remained trapped under rubble, as search efforts for survivors continued.

Authorities evacuated approximately 2,000 people in the Nagikyo area, and initial data showed damage to hundreds of homes, schools, health facilities, places of worship, and government buildings.

For its part, Indonesia’s Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) announced that 235 aftershocks had been recorded by 2:00 p.m. local time, ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 6.2, noting that the frequency of the tremors had not shown a significant decline up to that point.

The main earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck the Flores region early Saturday morning. Authorities later lifted the tsunami warning after monitoring sea levels.