JAKARTA: The death toll from a magnitude-7.7 earthquake and a series of strong aftershocks that struck off the coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia has risen to 47, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
In its latest update, BNPB reported that at least 346 houses were damaged, including 157 severely damaged, 41 moderately damaged and 148 slightly damaged.
The earthquake struck the Flores region at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), making it a relatively shallow earthquake with the potential to cause significant surface damage.
The main quake was followed by 111 aftershocks, including one measuring magnitude 6.1, according to BNPB.
The tremors also damaged a range of public infrastructure, including schools and other educational facilities, health facilities, places of worship and government offices.
Emergency authorities are continuing to assess the damage and coordinate response operations in affected communities. The repeated aftershocks have also increased challenges for residents and emergency teams working in the disaster-hit areas.
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