Kathmandu— A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia at 5:58am local time on Saturday, killing at least 51 people and displacing approximately 5,000 others as rescue teams struggle to reach affected areas blocked by landslides and damaged infrastructure. The quake’s epicenter was located about 68km (42 miles) north-northwest of the city of Ende, on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles). The earthquake, followed by over 341 aftershocks, has caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure across the region, prompting consideration of a state of emergency.

Widespread Damage and Displacement

More than 1,300 homes have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the earthquake, with at least 157 houses completely leveled in Nagekeo regency, the area closest to the epicenter. Approximately 2,000 villagers there have been forced into temporary shelters. In Sikka regency, over 3,300 people have fled their homes or are stranded, taking refuge in a sports arena. Residents in the port town of Maumere camped outside collapsed homes under tarpaulin tents, while others received treatment in makeshift facilities.

Rescue Efforts Hampered by Landslides

Rescue teams are facing significant challenges reaching affected areas due to landslides that have blocked roads and disrupted communications, particularly in Nagekeo. A team is attempting to reach the area by ferry, but access remains difficult given the region’s scattered geography of small islands. Lieutenant General Suharyanto, head of Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency (BNPB), said three helicopters and a rescue vessel have been deployed to support emergency response efforts. More than 3,500 military and police personnel have also been mobilized.

Injuries and Ongoing Concerns

Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus reported that 36 people suffered serious injuries and another 77 sustained minor injuries as of Sunday. Officials are considering declaring a state of emergency for East Nusa Tenggara province, which would unlock additional resources and funding to aid in the recovery process. A tsunami warning issued immediately after the earthquake has since been lifted, but authorities continue to urge residents to stay away from shorelines and damaged buildings.

Historical Context and Seismic Activity

The same stretch of coastline was struck by a similarly powerful earthquake in December 1992, which triggered a tsunami that killed more than 2,500 people on Flores. Indonesia is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for its high seismic activity due to the movement of tectonic plates. The nation of roughly 290 million people spread across 17,000 islands is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and provide assistance to those affected, with aftershocks expected to continue for several days. The true scale of the disaster is still emerging as rescue teams work to reach isolated communities.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.