Businesses reopen after eastern Indonesia earthquake displaced thousands

REO, Indonesia -- Grocery stores, gas stations and other shops reopened Wednesday, four days after a powerful earthquake killed at least 70 people, injured nearly 1,200 others and damaged thousands of homes. Debris covered streets and searchers continued to dig in the rubble for possible victims, while more than 40,000 people remained in tents, evacuation centers and makeshift shelters.The earthquake struck shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday off Flores, a remote island in East Nusa Tenggara province and caused widespread destruction across the island, damaging at least 11,925 homes, 182 health facilities, 653 schools, 184 government offices and 173 places of worship, according to the National Disaster Management Agency and other officials.Immediate food and water needs have been met and local governments in seven regencies hit by the quake have resumed operations “to accelerate post-disaster recovery and serve the community’s administrative needs,” East Nusa Tenggara Gov. Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena said.The earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Residents fled in panic as tsunami warnings were issued and later lifted. Authorit...