Indonesia is facing a major disaster after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the island of Flores early Saturday.
The earthquake killed at least 38 people and left others injured.
The quake hit shortly before 05:00 local time at a depth of just 15km.
That matters because shallow earthquakes can cause much more destruction at the surface. Strong aftershocks followed, including one measuring 6.1.
In Maumere, terrifying footage showed concrete breaking away from a port terminal as people waited for a ferry.
Part of a gangway collapsed, sending some passengers into the sea.
For residents, the shaking was sudden and frightening.
Arnold Welianto said people rushed towards higher ground after the sea appeared to retreat. “Everyone panicked and ran,” he told the BBC.
Quake Triggers Tsunami Warning
A tsunami warning was issued but lifted about three hours later after no major rise in sea levels was detected.
Around 2,000 people nevertheless evacuated or moved to safer areas.
The disaster has damaged dozens of homes along with healthcare centres, government buildings and places of worship.
With the region remote and mountainous, officials warn that assessing the full scale of the destruction will take time.
And with aftershocks continuing, many residents are too frightened to return home.
As one survivor put it: “It felt like we were on a trampoline.”
