EASTERN INDONESIA: An Indonesia earthquake measuring magnitude 7.7 killed at least two people early Saturday and sent thousands toward higher ground after authorities issued a tsunami warning.
Disaster agency spokesman Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan confirmed that a man and a woman had died. He said authorities were still verifying the full casualty and damage figures.
The shallow earthquake struck off the north coast of Flores Island at 4:58 a.m. local time, about 68 kilometres northwest of Ende, according to Indonesia’s geophysics agency BMKG and U.S. authorities.
The quake occurred at a depth of about 15 kilometres and was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring magnitude 6.1.
Residents in Nagekeo Regency rushed toward higher ground after the sea appeared to retreat. Authorities later lifted the tsunami warning after waves of less than one metre were recorded in several areas.
The earthquake was felt strongly for about a minute in Nagekeo and Bima, according to national disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Dodi Yuleova.
In Maumere on Flores Island, residents fled buildings as the shaking struck. Reuters-verified video from a port showed part of a building collapsing as people ran from the area.
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The Australian tsunami warning centre said the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to mainland Australia, its islands or territories.
Indonesian authorities continued assessing casualties and structural damage as residents remained alert for further aftershocks
