Violent 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia; official tsunami warnings issued

Terror in Indonesia following a devastating earthquake

The Flores region of Indonesia was struck in the early hours of Saturday morning by a violent and sudden earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, sparking panic among the local population and prompting immediate action from the authorities.

According to initial technical data, the earthquake’s epicenter was recorded at sea near the island of Flores, specifically about 68 kilometers northwest of the city of Ende. It was recorded at a shallow depth of only 10 kilometers, a key factor that typically intensifies the impact of the tremor and heightens concerns regarding potential consequences for the coastline.

Urgent warnings and evacuation of coastal areas

Following this powerful earthquake, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency issued an official tsunami warning that could hit several coastal areas near the epicenter.

Authorities issued urgent humanitarian and security appeals to residents living near coasts and rivers, urging them to immediately move away from low-lying areas. They also emphasized the importance of heading urgently toward higher ground and safe shelters, while awaiting field assessments of the current danger level over the coming hours.

Situation on the ground and continuous monitoring

To date, official bodies have not released confirmed reports of widespread human or material losses; however, eyewitness accounts confirmed that the tremor was extremely strong and felt across multiple vast areas, reflecting the extent of the impact.

Meanwhile, the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre had initially estimated a lower magnitude before revising it to 7.7 in light of new scientific data. Monitoring teams continue to follow the situation closely, warning of the possibility of aftershocks in the coming hours and calling on citizens to exercise extreme caution.