At least 20 people have died following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks off the east coast of Indonesia. The rescue service reported casualties in the area around the port city of Maumere. Teams have not yet reached Nagekeo, the region closest to the epicentre, due to landslides and communication disruptions. The tsunami warning was lifted approximately three hours later.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n Rescue workers have found 20 bodies in the Maumere area, according to the head of the city\u2019s rescue service Fathur Rahman<\/strong>. A further six people were injured, and two remained trapped under the rubble.<\/p>\n Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province Emanuel Melchiades Laka Lena<\/strong> stated that at least five people had died when debris collapsed on them whilst they were asleep. Maumere is the capital of Sikka Regency on the island of Flores.<\/p>\n Nagekeo is the closest to the epicentre, but the full extent of the damage there is still becoming clear. Communications in the region have been disrupted, and attempts to reach the area by car have been halted by landslides. Another team has set off for the area by ferry.<\/p>\n The National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) has reported the evacuation of around 2,000 residents of Nagekeo. Houses, warehouses and public facilities have been damaged there; power cuts and traffic congestion have been reported in parts of the region.<\/p>\n Strong tremors were felt in East and West Nusa Tenggara, as well as in parts of South Sulawesi. Residents in several areas reported that the tremors lasted for about a minute, after which people rushed out of their homes.<\/p>\n\n
Rescue workers are operating in the Maumere area<\/h2>\n
People are trying to reach Nagekeo, which is closest to the epicentre, by ferry<\/h2>\n
The tremors were felt from Nusa Tenggara to South Sulawesi<\/h2>\n