Indonesia earthquake kills 68, displaces 12,800

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake near Indonesia's Flores island has killed 68 people, according to an updated toll, and injured more than 100, while 12,800 people remained unable to return home, officials said Monday.

The shallow quake struck early Saturday just off the north coast of Flores, geological authorities said. Rescue officials said there were no reports of missing people, but teams were still checking affected areas by land and air.

Indonesia's national disaster agency said people unable to return home were spread across several towns on Flores. Many residents were preparing to sleep outside for a third night because of damaged homes and fear of aftershocks. The BMKG geological agency said more than 1,600 aftershocks had rumbled through the area.

In Mbay, in Nagekeo regency near the epicentre, residents sheltered in makeshift tents made from tarpaulins and poles. Some residents said homes had collapsed or were badly cracked, and said aid had not yet reached them.

The Indonesian Air Force said it was bringing 13 tonnes of emergency aid in two Hercules planes and a Boeing. Antara state news agency quoted the commander of El Tari Air Base in Kupang as saying helicopters would take supplies directly to survivors in isolated communities. The aid included food, clothes, clean water and emergency medical equipment.

The health ministry has sent two field hospitals and emergency medical teams to the area, and the government said more than 1,400 police, soldiers and other personnel had been deployed to assist.

The disaster agency said at least 914 houses on Flores were severely damaged and hundreds more were damaged to a lesser degree. Dozens of public buildings, including education and health facilities and government offices, were also affected.

Save the Children said more than 8,000 children faced safety risks and disruption to their education after the quake.

Indonesia has frequent earthquakes because it lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of intense seismic activity.