Overview
- The quake struck off northern Flores early Saturday, Aug. 15, at 5:58 a.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
- Indonesia’s meteorological agency issued then later lifted a tsunami warning after sea-level stations recorded local waves up to about 1.61 metres in parts of Manggarai and East Manggarai.
- Officials say rescuers have recovered at least 47 bodies and taken dozens of injured people to hospitals while assessments of damage to homes, schools, clinics and churches continue.
- Search and rescue teams have deployed helicopters, boats and personnel but face blocked roads, quake-triggered landslides, power cuts and communication outages that slow access to affected communities.
- Hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded with the strongest near magnitude 6.2, and authorities warn the toll and damage estimates could rise as teams reach isolated villages and restore transport and communications.