Indonesia: Thousands await aid after earthquake kills 68

The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake which hit eastern Indonesia this weekend rose to at least 68 on Monday, casting a shadow over the country's Independence Day celebrations.

Over 100 more people have been injured but local authorities do not believe anybody is missing.

The quake's epicenter was located off the coast of the island of Flores at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) on Saturday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

It has since been followed by almost 1,600 smaller aftershocks, including a 5.6-magnitude jolt on Monday morning.

A tsunami warning for parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi provinces, urging residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks, was later lifted.

But around 500 houses have been damaged and roads have been blocked by landslides, leaving around 12,800 people on Flores unable to return to their homes.