Indonesia earthquake kills 51, rescuers dig through rubble

Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia recovered four more bodies on Sunday after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck the Flores region, raising the death toll to 51. The US Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 10 km at 5:58 a.m. local time. Residents fled in panic as tsunami warnings were issued and later lifted. At least 235 aftershocks have been recorded, according to Indonesia's meteorological agency.

Rescuers are digging through debris and landslides across six regencies on Flores, focusing on the hardest-hit Manggarai, East Manggarai and Nagekeo. The National Search and Rescue Agency said 101 people were injured. More than 900 homes were destroyed and 450 damaged, forcing about 5,000 people into temporary shelters. Landslides have blocked sections of the Trans-Flores Highway, cutting off remote villages.

Relief workers are distributing rice, water, blankets and medicine, while emergency shelters are being set up. Authorities say restoring electricity and communications and delivering aid to isolated areas remain the biggest challenges.