Earthquake rocks tourist spot in Indonesia leaving at least 38 dead

A rescue mission is currently underway.

At least 38 people have been killed after a massive earthquake struck a popular tourist spot in Indonesia.

The 7.7-magnitude tremor struck off the country’s Flores Island, to the east of Bali and a tourist destination known for its stunning scenery, shortly before 5am local time (11pm UK time) on Saturday. The tremor had a recorded depth of 10 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

A rescue mission is currently underway. Rescue official Fathur Rahman told AFP the people confirmed dead so far are from four different towns on the island.

As reported by the Mirror, he said: “Our focus will be on locating the victims who are buried under the rubble” said Fathur, adding that the rescue effort had been complicated by landslides cutting off roads.

Following the quake, the country’s Weather, Climate, and Earthquake Information office (BMKG) issued an early tsunami warning which has now been lifted. Local resident of Sikka, Yohanna Embu, said a number of buildings were damaged by the strong shaking and panicked people ran to higher ground.

She said: “Many buildings here were damaged … I saw that the waiting room at the port terminal in Maumere had collapsed.”

Rescue official Fathur Rahman says teams are now desperately working to free those trapped under rubble.

He said: “From the reports we have received, 20 people have died, six are injured, and two are still buried. Our focus will be on locating the victims who are buried under the rubble.”

The nation’s disaster mitigation agency has since said the death toll has risen as search and rescue teams probe rubble.

Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, told a news conference people were killed in their sleep by collapsing rubble.

Video taken at the port in Maumere showed large chunks of concrete breaking off the terminal building onto passengers waiting to board an inter-island ferry. Some were thrown into the sea when the gangway to a ship collapsed.

Officials have said the death toll is expected to climb as emergency teams work through the aftermath.

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