Indonesians flee homes after 7.3 magnitude earthquake off Flores Island; tsunami warning lifted
- The undersea quake hit at a depth of 18.5km and caused minor tsunami waves of 7cm, but an initial tsunami alert was lifted
- One person was injured and buildings damaged, with officials warning of aftershocks
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake hit at a depth of 18.5km (11.5 miles) under the sea, and was located 112km (74 miles) north of the town of Maumere, the second-largest on the island in East Nusa Tenggara province, with a population of 85,000.
After an initial tsunami alert, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii and later Indonesia’s meteorological agency lifted the warning hours after the quake.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said residents in East Flores district felt the earthquake strongly. Footage showed people running away from buildings that shook from the impact.
One person was reported injured in East Nusa Tenggara province.
The shocks were also felt in Makassar city and Selayar Islands district in South Sulawesi province, across the Flores Sea. The disaster mitigation agency reported a school was damaged in the Selayar Islands.