Authorities reported that at least 47 people were killed after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck offshore near Flores Island early Saturday, just before 5 a.m. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter was in waters north of the island, about 1,000 miles east of Jakarta. The quake occurred at a depth of roughly 6 miles and was followed by multiple aftershocks. More than 2 million residents across the region felt strong to severe shaking, according to the agency. A tsunami warning was issued for several coastal areas and later lifted by Indonesian officials.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNBP) said 47 deaths were confirmed, with about half occurring in Manggarai Regency on Flores. Lieutenant General Suharyanto, head of the BNBP, said 16 bodies were recovered from a landslide in a village. The earthquake caused building collapses, disrupted communications and road access, and prompted the evacuation of roughly 2,000 people from the Nagekeo area as a precaution. Emergency teams were deployed to assess damage, treat victims, and assist affected communities.

Indonesia, an archipelago of about 17,500 islands, sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where the Australian and Sunda tectonic plates converge, making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Since 1950, the country has experienced 37 magnitude‑6 or greater quakes, including a 7.8‑magnitude event and tsunami in 1992 that killed at least 2,500 people. Rescue operations are expected to be complicated by the remote geography, and authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant as aftershocks continue.