Authorities issued a tsunami warning but later lifted it when Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes that would pose a threat to coastal communities.
The US Geological Survey said the quake hit Indonesia’s Flores region with a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) at 5.58am local time. Its epicentre was 68km north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. The initial quake was followed by several aftershocks.
The head of the National Disaster Management Agency, Suharyanto, said rescuers have recovered at least 38 bodies, mostly in the three devastated regencies of Sikka, Manggarai and East Manggarai, including 16 bodies that were pulled from a landslide in the village of Reok in Manggarai.
At least 13 people were rushed to nearby hospitals, including two with serious injuries.
Suharyanto, who like many Indonesians uses a single name, said three helicopters and a rescue vessel were deployed to assist with logistics and support emergency response operations, including possible evacuations if needed, given East Nusa Tenggara’s geography, which consists of numerous islands and presents significant transport and access challenges.
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