Twenty dead as powerful earthquake strikes Indonesia, rescue teams struggle to reach affected areas

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake has struck Flores Island in south-eastern Indonesia, triggering dozens of powerful aftershocks and leaving at least twenty people dead. Videos from the scene show multiple buildings reduced to rubble, with the scale of destruction hampering rescue and recovery efforts across the affected region. Authorities have confirmed that access to several hardest-hit areas remains extremely difficult due to the extensive damage to infrastructure.

Rescue teams are facing significant obstacles as they attempt to reach isolated communities in the wake of the disaster. The combination of structural collapse and damaged roads has made it increasingly challenging for emergency services to deploy personnel and resources to all affected zones. Officials have warned that the final death toll could rise as rescue operations continue and communications are re-established with remote settlements.

Local residents have described terrifying moments as the earthquake struck. One survivor, among thirteen people sheltering in a residential building, recounted how the group were forced to evacuate immediately to escape the collapsing structure. “We were thirteen people inside the house and we all ran out to save ourselves,” the resident said. Such accounts highlight the sudden and devastating nature of the tremor, which gave people little time to take shelter or prepare for impact.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of intense seismic activity where earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon. The archipelago experiences frequent tremors due to its position along multiple tectonic plate boundaries, making earthquake preparedness and rapid disaster response critical components of the nation’s emergency management strategy.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.