In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers attempt to clear debris at building damaged by an earthquake in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. (Photo: AP)
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island, killing twenty people and prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning.
The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at 5:58am local time, with its epicentre about 68km north-northwest of the city of Ende, in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a depth of 10km. Three aftershocks followed within half an hour, measuring 5.9, 5.6 and 6.1 in magnitude.
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Deaths and damage
Indonesia’s national disaster agency, BNPB, said a man and a woman died at the L Say Maumere port, while another person was injured. Local media footage showed extensive damage to buildings, including at the port, with the Maumere area worst affected.
INDONESIA ROCKED by 7.7 MEGA QUAKE as BUILDING COLLAPSES
BMKG, Indonesia’s geophysics agency, issued a tsunami warning for the affected coastlines and told residents to stay away from beaches and rivers. BNPB official Abdul Muhari urged people along the northern and southern coasts of Flores to evacuate at once. Speaking to local broadcaster Kompas TV, he said residents should move “more than two kilometres inland” or onto higher ground. The warning was later lifted, though officials said sea levels would continue to be monitored.
Australia’s tsunami warning centre said the quake posed no threat to the Australian mainland, its islands or territories.
USGS estimates suggest more than half a million people on Flores Island are likely to have felt very strong shaking, with moderate to strong shaking felt by several million more across the wider region. Local authorities said they were continuing to monitor the situation and assess the risk of further aftershocks.
A seismically active nation
Indonesia, home to more than 270 million people spread across roughly 17,000 islands, sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is among the most seismically active countries in the world.
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The same stretch of coastline was hit by a similarly powerful earthquake in December 1992, which triggered a tsunami that killed around 2,500 people on Flores.
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In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers attempt to clear debris at building damaged by an earthquake in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. (Photo: AP) 
