7.7-magnitude quake strikes Indonesia, two killed

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least two people and causing widespread damage, with authorities warning that the death toll and extent of destruction could rise.

The earthquake struck at 5:58am local time, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Its epicentre was located beneath the sea about 68 kilometres northwest of Ende city in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres.

Several aftershocks were reported following the main quake, while reports from towns across the region indicated that homes and other buildings had been partially or completely damaged. Videos circulating on social media showed collapsed structures and residents fleeing in panic.

Residents described scenes of widespread fear as the ground shook violently. Yohanna Mbu, a resident of Sikka, told AFP that numerous houses had been destroyed and that she saw a building collapse in the port area.

Another resident of Nagekeo told AFP that the shaking was so intense that people screamed and ran in panic. He said he was fortunate to have been outside when the earthquake struck.

Indonesia's meteorological, climatological and geophysical agency initially issued a tsunami warning for East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi. The warning was later lifted after authorities assessed the situation.

Indonesia lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, one of the world's most seismically active zones, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity. In 2004, a magnitude-9.1 earthquake off Indonesia triggered a devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that killed at least 170,000 people in the country.