One Dead, Two Injured in Maumere After 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake

The Search and Rescue Office (SAR) of Maumere, Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, has reported one fatality and two injuries as a result of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Mbay, Nagekeo Regency.

“We have evacuated one person who died after being struck by building debris,” said Head of SAR Maumere Faturahman when contacted from Kupang on Saturday morning.

The victim, whose identity is not yet known, was found in the waiting area of Lorens Say Maumere Port, which suffered damage due to the earthquake.

“The waiting area has now been cleared,” he said.

Meanwhile, the two injured victims are now receiving intensive care at the nearest hospital for further treatment.

Earlier, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami potential status of level two for several coastal areas in East Nusa Tenggara following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook Mbay Village, Nagekeo Regency, on Saturday at 05:58 WITA local time.

Head of the Kupang Geophysics Station Arief Tyastama in Kupang said on Saturday morning that the earthquake’s epicentre was located at coordinates 8.41 degrees south latitude and 121.39 degrees east longitude.

“Its location is around 30 kilometres off the coast of Mbay-Nagekeo with a depth of 15 kilometres,” he said.

As of 07:03 WITA, BMKG has issued a Tsunami Early Warning (PD) level 2. The warning covers areas in East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara and Southeast Sulawesi.

In East Nusa Tenggara, areas on alert status include northern Manggarai, northern Ngada, northern West Manggarai, northern Ende and northern Sikka.

Meanwhile, areas in South Sulawesi on alert status include Selayar, Jeneponto and Bantaeng.

Previously, BMKG issued a Tsunami Early Warning level 1 after the initial earthquake was recorded at magnitude 7.0. At that time, northern Ngada was on advisory status with an estimated tsunami arrival time of around 05:01:23 WIB.