Indonesian authorities raised the death toll to 47 after the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook the coast of the Indonesian island of Flores, in the east of the archipelago, this Saturday, according to the latest report from the country’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

[Strong 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Indonesia: Dead Toll Rises to 47 After a 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Indonesia](https://www.telesurenglish.net/dead-toll-rises-to-47-after-a-7-7-magnitude-earthquake-in-indonesia/)

The entity reported in its latest statement a total of 47 fatalities, with deaths in the districts of Manggarai (24), East Manggarai (17), Sikka (3), Ngada (1), Ende (1) and West Manggarai (1).

The earthquake occurred near 06:00 local time (22:00 GMT on Friday) with the epicenter about 62 kilometers northwest of Ende, the most populated city on Flores, with about 90,000 inhabitants, and at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

In addition, more than a hundred homes on the island have suffered damage and landslides have been registered in some parts of Flores, according to the BNPB. The airport of tourist Komodo was also affected, although it remains operational, said the Minister of Transport, Dudy Purwagandhi.

Likewise, around 2,000 residents were evacuated from coastal areas after the strong tremor, which activated the early tsunami alert, suspended shortly after.

An estimated two million people live on the island of Flores, with Ende and Maumere among its main cities.

Indonesia is located in the so-called ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, an area of intense seismic and volcanic activity due to the convergence of several tectonic plates.

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