7 earthquake struck off Indonesia's Flores island on Saturday, with buildings collapsing, landslides blocking roads and rescue operations continuing across the worst-hit areas. The quake also triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted after authorities found no significant sea-level changes.

Death toll rises to 38The earthquake has killed at least 38 people, BNPB chief Suharyanto told reporters, revising earlier casualty figures as rescue teams recovered more victims from affected areas. The quake struck off eastern Indonesia early Saturday and caused widespread damage across parts of Flores.

Earlier, rescuers had reported recovering at least 20 bodies from Sikka, West Manggarai and East Manggarai, including eight people killed in a landslide in Reok village. Six injured people were taken to hospitals, while two villagers were initially reported missing after being buried by landslide debris.

Buildings collapse, landslides block roadsThe powerful tremor damaged homes and public buildings across Flores, with footage showing collapsed structures and residents fleeing their homes. Landslides triggered by the earthquake also blocked the Trans-Flores highway, a roughly 700-kilometre road linking Labuan Bajo and Larantuka.

“We are continuing to collect reports of damage and casualties, but there are communication disruptions,” Darmoko said. 2,000 residents evacuatedAround 2,000 residents in Nagekeo regency fled their homes and moved to temporary shelters following the earthquake.

The BNPB also deployed a helicopter to support logistics and emergency response operations, including possible evacuations. The aerial support is particularly important in East Nusa Tenggara, where the island geography can make access to affected areas difficult.

Tsunami warning liftedAuthorities initially issued a tsunami warning for parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi and urged residents near beaches and riverbanks to move to higher ground. The warning was later lifted after Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency found no significant sea-level changes posing a continuing threat to coastal communities.

Tsunami waves of less than one metre were recorded before the warning was cancelled. 7 earthquake was followed by numerous aftershocks, with strong shaking felt across Flores and neighbouring areas.

The US Geological Survey said the main earthquake struck at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres, around 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. The shallow depth contributed to strong shaking and damage across the region.