7.3 Quake Hits Indonesia's Flores Island, 15 Aftershocks

Major M7.3 earthquake triggers hazardous tsunami warning, cracks roads and destroys buildings in Indonesia – People run out of homes screaming out loud

Strange Sounds

An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.3 has struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island, prompting the country’s monitoring agency to issue a tsunami warning which was later called off.

The US Geological Survey said that the quake occurred at a depth of 18.5km under the sea and was located 112km north of the second-largest island town in East Nusa Tenggara province.

The casualties from the undersea earthquake are not immediately clear. However, authorities said several buildings and public properties suffered damage as photos showed roads cracked open by the temblor.

Another photo by local media showed a wall demolished due to the impact of the quake and bricks strewn on the road in South Sulawesi.

Almost two hours after the quake, Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency agency called off the tsunami warning but asked locals in East Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi to remain vigilant.

Preliminary visuals from the island nation showed people rushing out of their homes, away from the sea and running towards safe areas.

“Everyone ran out into the street,” according to a resident of Maumere town on Flores island.

Aftershocks of 5.6 magnitude from the quake were felt in Larantuka, authorities said. The quake was also felt strongly in Makassar in South Sulawesi, according to reports.

7.3-magnitude quake strikes off Indonesian coast

Clyde Hughes

 A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the Indonesian coast on Tuesday, sending people in towns along the shore seeking higher ground and into the streets.

The earthquake hit about 70 miles north of Maumere on Flores Island. The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor occurred at a depth of 11 miles.

Indonesia's Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency initially issued a tsunami warning, but later called it off.

Agency head Dwikorita Karnawati said the area has seen about 15 aftershocks. The USGS said some of the aftershocks registered magnitudes between 5.5 and 5.0.

Maumere, the capital city of Sikka, is the second-largest town on Flores Island with a population of about 90,000. Romanus Woga, deputy head of the Sikka Regency district, told CNN that he felt four or five large shakes, which scared residents.