Rescuers search for survivors of powerful Indonesia earthquake

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Watch: Buildings partially collapse in Indonesia after 7.7 earthquake

Rescue teams in Indonesia have been searching for survivors of Saturday's major earthquake which left at least 47 people dead.

The magnitude 7.7 quake struck the island of Flores shortly before 05:00 (22:00 GMT on Friday) and had a depth of 15km, Indonesia's meteorology and geophysics agency stated.

Preliminary reports indicate hundreds of buildings have been severely damaged by the quake and the dozens of aftershocks that followed.

However, the full scale of the disaster is still unclear, and news of a second earthquake of magnitude 6.9 at the other end of Indonesia served as a reminder of why they call this region the ring of fire.

Tremors from Saturday's powerful earthquake were reportedly felt by residents as far west as Bima Regency and City, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) agency said, but the Manggarai province is among the most affected.

Preliminary data shows that 24 fatalities had been recorded there, meanwhile 17 deaths were recorded in East Manggarai province, three in Sikka province, and at least one in each of the Ngada, Ende and West Manggarai provinces.

At least two others had been seriously injured and 11 slightly injured.

The BNPB said aid was being sent to the affected areas with 10,500 packages arriving at the base operations so far.

It will take time to assess the full extent of the destruction in the region, which is remote and mountainous.

However, early reports indicate more than 150 houses had been severely damaged, as well as dozens of educational institutions, a number of healthcare facilities, places of worship, offices, and several other public facilities.

Video taken at the port in Maumere - the largest town in Flores - showed large chunks of concrete breaking off the terminal building onto passengers waiting to board an inter-island ferry. Some were thrown into the sea when the gangway to a ship collapsed.

Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, told a news conference that they were killed in their sleep by collapsing rubble.

Others, like Arnold Welianto, who lives in Talibura, a village near the coastline in Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, were shaken out of their beds.

"I was startled awake and immediately went to my child's room." He said.

Image caption, The earthquake struck around 600 miles (1,000km) away from Bali

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the day to free those trapped under the rubble

While a tsunami warning was initially issued - leading some 2,000 people to self-evacuate - it was lifted around three hours after the initial jolt, when no significant sea level rise was detected.

Landslides, however, did block access to some villages but the experienced rescue teams worked tirelessly through the day to free those trapped under the rubble.

In Ruteng, a temporary medical tent was also assembled outside of a hospital to treat earthquake victims.

Image source, EPA/ShutterstockImage caption, People could be seen moving inland after authorities issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted

The ongoing advice from BNPB is for people to remain calm and to stay away from coastal areas and structures showing signs of damage.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, lying along the meeting point of three major tectonic plates.

PreviousNext0:37World's Ugliest Dog contest crowns 2026 winner. 00:00:37, play videoWorld's Ugliest Dog contest crowns 2026 winner1:11'My interview with Fidel Castro' 00:01:11, play video'My interview with Fidel Castro'0:52The BIG change to the Championship play-offs this season. 00:00:52, play videoThe BIG change to the Championship play-offs this season0:58The prisoners of Edinburgh Castle. 00:00:58, play videoThe prisoners of Edinburgh Castle0:41B&Q boss: Why I don't regret dropping out of uni. 00:00:41, play videoB&Q boss: Why I don't regret dropping out of uni0:36Wildfire alert sounds live on The One Show. 00:00:36, play videoWildfire alert sounds live on The One Show0:42Why is Selena Gomez being sued? 00:00:42, play videoWhy is Selena Gomez being sued?1:02'Overwhelming' smell of smoke in Stourbridge. 00:01:02, play video'Overwhelming' smell of smoke in Stourbridge1:27How an oil slick started washing up on an Iranian beach. 00:01:27, play videoHow an oil slick started washing up on an Iranian beach0:55Four bargain picks for your FPL team. 00:00:55, play videoFour bargain picks for your FPL team1:10Meet the three-year-old who phoned 999 when his mum fainted. 00:01:10, play videoMeet the three-year-old who phoned 999 when his mum fainted0:58Flip-flops and sandals at work - what's OK in a heatwave? 00:00:58, play videoFlip-flops and sandals at work - what's OK in a heatwave?1:24The race to save thousands of animals. 00:01:24, play videoThe race to save thousands of animals0:42Man, 102, dies in hospital after alleged pub assault. 00:00:42, play videoMan, 102, dies in hospital after alleged pub assault1:30Will your selfies still exist in 1,000 years? 00:01:30, play videoWill your selfies still exist in 1,000 years?0:57'Government can do more to protect artists from AI' 00:00:57, play video'Government can do more to protect artists from AI'1:19'A fake squishy toy exploded in my son's face' 00:01:19, play video'A fake squishy toy exploded in my son's face'1:05Eurovision changes rules for countries at war. 00:01:05, play videoEurovision changes rules for countries at war1:38Israeli settlers besieging Palestinian families in West Bank. 00:01:38, play videoIsraeli settlers besieging Palestinian families in West BankTop storiesFire services stretched as residents still not home

Jason Arday death 'tragedy on so many levels' says PM

Powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake kills at least 47 in Indonesia

Like Greg James, I lost my dog - and my grief was overwhelming and complicated

The Papers: UK-made drones 'strike Russia' and 'phone theft Britain'

How is parkour helping these seniors avoid injuries? VideoHow is parkour helping these seniors avoid injuries?

The Polygamist's author says women see themselves reflected in her Netflix hit

I wish I had been a more rebellious teenager, says Bella Ramsey

Bride dazzles in thrifty wedding with £2 charity shop dress

Five years after the Taliban swept to power, does the West have any influence?

Many Canadians are boycotting the US, so this is where they're travelling instead

I had days to live - but five months later I'm still making memories

An edifying look at modern architecture in Britain

Is the rules-based order ending and what might replace it?

Puzzle lovers: Here are more clues about Ludwig's next conundrums

Does the UK's north-south divide still exist?

Reform UK plan would overhaul welfare system with £50bn in savings

Fire services stretched as residents still not home

UK-made drones 'strike Russia' and 'phone theft Britain'

Jason Arday death 'tragedy on so many levels' says PM

Secondhand book sales are booming. Is it because of AI?

Thousands of Bonnie Tyler fans line the streets as coffin taken to Swansea home

Body found in search for student missing on hike

Analysis: Jason Arday's death will send shockwaves through a divided academia

Many Canadians are boycotting the US, so this is where they're travelling instead

Bride dazzles in thrifty wedding with £2 charity shop dress