A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores island on December 14, and the country’s weather agency warned that tsunami waves were possible.
According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11.5 mi) below sea level, and was located 112 kilometers (74 mi) north of the city of Maumere, the second largest on the island in East Nusa. Was. Tenggara Province with a population of 85,000.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Abdul Muhari said residents of the area felt the quake strongly. TV footage showed people running away from buildings that were shaken by the impact.
“There is no information about the damage so far. But the quick response team is working to gather information,” Mr. Muhri said.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 270 million people, is frequently affected by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis because of its location on the “Ring of Fire”, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific.
The last major earthquake occurred in January, with a magnitude of 6.2, in West Sulawesi province, killing at least 105 people and injuring about 6,500.
There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
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