JAKARTA, August 15. /Dunyo IA/. About 40 people have died as a result of a magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck off the eastern coast of Indonesia, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

According to “Reuters”, rescuers around the port town of Maumere on Flores Island found 20 dead, six injured and two people trapped under the rubble. Damage was reported to houses, warehouses and government facilities, as well as power outages.

Rescue teams have yet to reach Nagekeo, the region closest to the epicentre, due to landslides and disrupted communications. About 2,000 residents in the area were evacuated. Strong shaking was also felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and parts of South Sulawesi.

Photo by “Reuters”