Indonesia earthquake - live: At least 20 dead as huge 7.7 quake rocks tourist spot

Indonesia earthquake - live: At least 20 dead as huge 7.7 quake rocks tourist spot The 7.7-magnitude quake has struck not far from the coast of Flores Island with buildings in multiple towns destroyed A massive earthquake has struck in a popular tourist spot in Indonesia with at least 20 dead and rescuers now desperately searching for survivors in the rubble. The 7.7-magnitude tremor struck off the country's Flores Island, to the east of Bali and a tourist destination known for its stunning scenery, shortly before 5am local time (11pm UK time) on Saturday at a depth of 10 kilometres, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. Rescue official Fathur Rahman told AFP the people confirmed dead so far are from four different towns on the island. "Our focus will be on locating the victims who are buried under the rubble" said Fathur, adding that the rescue effort had been complicated by landslides cutting off roads. Following the quake, the country's Weather, Climate, and Earthquake Information office (BMKG) issued an early tsunami warning which has now been lifted. The first, massive, tremor was followed by at least two other powerful quakes at 5.9 and 5.6 magnitude respectively. Key Events Rescue official Fathur Rahman says teams are now desperately working to free those trapped under rubble. He said: "From the reports we have received, 20 people have died, six are injured, and two are still buried. "Our focus will be on locating the victims who are buried under the rubble" said Fathur, adding that the rescue effort had been complicated by landslides cutting off several roads. Fathur Rahman, head of the city's rescue agency, said rescuers around the port town of Maumere found 20 dead, six injured and two trapped under the rubble. Officials have said the death toll is expected to climb as emergency teams work through the aftermath. Authorities have said that preliminary reports indicated two people died in Sikka Regency and three others passed in Manggarai Regency. The five people died from collapsing rubble as they slept, East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena told reporters. People have fled their homes to seek safety following the earthquake. Indonesia's national disaster agency, BNPB, said in a press statement that a man and a woman have died at the Maumere port. One other person is injured. Indonesia, which has a population of more than a 270 million people across roughly 17,000 islands, is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire". It is one of the world's most seismically active countries. More than half a million people on Flores Island are likely to have experienced very strong shaking, according to USGS estimates. Moderate to strong shaking could have been felt by several million more people across the wider region. Photographs show walls crumbled as a result of the quake. Authorities have not reported any casualties. Indonesia's meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency has declared the tsunami warning to have ended. Indonesia's meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency has urged residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks. The initial earthquake was followed by two aftershocks. Footage of the destruction has been shared to social media. Australia's tsunami warning centre has said the quake would have "no tsunami threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories". The quake's magnitude was initially recorded at magnitude 6.9. It was subsequently upgraded by the EMSC. Social media reports suggest several buildings were damaged in the quake. Among the buildings reportedly damaged are a hotel in Ruteng. Welcome to our live blog. The latest on the earthquake that struck Indonesia and the early tsunami warning can be found here.