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- Powerful 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia (abcnews.com)
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Indonesia early Thursday, causing at least one fatality and injuring four others, according to Indonesia’s national disaster management agency. The quake, which hit just before 5 a.m. local time, caused buildings to collapse and prompted hundreds of residents to evacuate amid initial fears of a tsunami.
The epicenter was located approximately 60 kilometers north-northwest of Ende in the Flores region, at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremor was strongly felt throughout the East Nusa Tenggara province, leading to widespread alarm.
In response to the quake, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency issued a tsunami warning and urged people to stay away from coastal areas. This alert was later lifted after assessments showed no tsunami threat. Still, about 2,000 residents in Nagekeo Regency on Flores Island evacuated as a precaution.
Emergency teams, including members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, quickly mobilized to assist with evacuations and damage assessments. Several strong aftershocks followed the main quake, including magnitudes of 6.1 and 5.9 north of Ende.
Photographs from the affected areas revealed visible damage to buildings, underscoring the quake’s impact on local communities. Officials continue to monitor the situation as recovery efforts are underway.
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- Powerful 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia (abcnews.com)