At least 20 dead after M7.7 quake hits off Indonesia's Flores Island

The death toll from a magnitude-7.7 earthquake and over 100 aftershocks off Flores Island in eastern Indonesia has risen to 20, an emergency official said Saturday.

Fathur Rahman, a Maumere Search and Rescue Office official, told media that 20 people have died, six were injured and two remain buried.

Melki Laka Lena, governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, said at a press conference in Kupang that several buildings and homes were damaged and some roads were cut off or blocked by landslides.

Footage shared on social media showed structures collapsing into dust and rubble, with residents screaming and running into the streets for safety.

Multiple flights to East Nusa Tenggara province were canceled following the earthquake.

The Chinese Consulate General in Denpasar issued a notice Saturday, reminding Chinese citizens in its consular district, especially tourists in Labuan Bajo, to remain vigilant.

The earthquake, centered near Mbay town in Nagekeo Regency, struck early Saturday and triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted, per Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.

The agency urged residents to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.

Rescue teams continue assessing casualties and damage across affected areas, with more updates expected as operations proceed.

Indonesia straddles the "Pacific Ring of Fire," a highly seismically active zone where different tectonic plates meet, creating numerous earthquakes and volcanoes. (With input from agencies)