Dozens dead and hundreds flee after powerful earthquake hits Indonesia

Jakarta — A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of the Indonesian island of Flores Saturday morning, killing at least 47 people, damaging buildings and forcing residents to flee their homes. The earthquake struck about 6 a.m. local time, about 68 kilometers (42 miles) northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The latest toll was given by disaster mitigation agency BNPB in an update Saturday evening local time. In addition, 50 people have been injured or severely injured, BNPB said. About 2,000 residents have been evacuated.A tsunami warning was initially issued but later lifted, it said. Some waves up to 1 meter (3 feet) high were recorded in Maurole, Ende, according to Indonesia’s meteorology, climatology and geophysical agency.The quake was felt across Flores, a lush and mountainous island in the Sunda chain, which also includes tourist hotspot Bali. Flores is known for its colorful volcanic lakes and as a gateway to Komodo National Park, home of the largest lizards on Earth. Its population of roughly 2 million is largely spread out across small villages. Health care facilities, schools, government offices and more than 50 homes were damaged in the earthquake, BNPB said.Videos posted to social media showed buildings collapsing and panicked residents running and screaming, as dust filled the sky. One video showed damage to a hospital in the village of Aeramo. Just hours after the Saturday earthquake, another, 6.9 magnitude quake rattled Northern Sumatra in Indonesia, followed later by a third 5.7 magnitude quake roughly 600 miles to the north, off the Minahasa Peninsula, the USGS said.