VIDEO/ Indonesia Struck by 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake, Casualties Reported! Authorities Issued Tsunami Warning

At least five people have died after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia early Saturday morning, foreign media reported.

The powerful earthquake struck the island of Flores shortly before 05:00 local time. It occurred at a depth of 15 km, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said in a statement.

Search-and-rescue teams are working to rescue those trapped in buildings damaged by the earthquake and the dozens of aftershocks that followed. A tsunami warning was issued but lifted three hours after the initial tremor.

The powerful earthquake struck the island of Flores shortly before 05:00 local time. It occurred at a depth of 15 km, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said in a statement.

Search-and-rescue teams are working to rescue those trapped in buildings damaged by the earthquake and the dozens of aftershocks that followed. A tsunami warning was issued but lifted three hours after the initial tremor.

Strong aftershocks were felt in the same area, including one with a magnitude of 6.1. Around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo were evacuated, while damage was reported to a significant number of buildings.

Indonesia’s vast archipelago is prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity because of its location on the “Pacific Ring of Fire.”