A powerful earthquake strikes Flores.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia’s Flores region at 4:58 a.m. local time on Saturday, killing at least 47 people and causing widespread damage. The epicentre was located off the northern coast of Flores, about 42 miles (67 kilometres) north-west of Ende, at a depth of 9 miles (15 kilometres). The earthquake triggered widespread panic, damaged buildings and homes, and led thousands of residents to evacuate towards higher ground amid fears of a tsunami.
Tsunami warning lifted as aftershocks continue.
Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted after monitoring detected no significant sea-level changes indicating a major tsunami. Nevertheless, waves of up to 1.5 metres were recorded in several areas, including a 1.61-metre wave that struck Ngada village in eastern Manggarai. At least 235 aftershocks followed the main earthquake, including one measuring 6.1. A second 6.1-magnitude earthquake later struck off northern Sumatra, although no casualties had been reported there.
Rescue efforts hampered by landslides and power cuts.
Rescue operations have been complicated by blocked roads, landslides and disrupted communications. Teams were unable to reach Nagekeo, the area closest to the epicentre, because landslides blocked access and communication signals were affected. Authorities attempted to reach the region by ferry. The Trans-Flores highway, a 435-mile mountain road, was also cut off in parts of Ende. Preliminary assessments indicated damage to 346 homes, 87 schools and more than a dozen health facilities, while hospitals evacuated patients and established temporary treatment areas outdoors.
Thousands evacuated as damage spreads.
Around 2,000 people in Nagekeo evacuated immediately after the earthquake, with residents seeking safety in nearby hills. In Maumere, rescuers reported 20 deaths, six people seriously injured and two trapped under rubble; eight of the deaths were attributed to a landslide. Residents described intense shaking, damaged buildings and scenes of panic. Indonesia’s vulnerability to earthquakes is linked to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake off western Indonesia triggered a tsunami that killed around 220,000 people across the Asia-Pacific region.
Reference
Christou, W., & agencies. (2026, August 15). Powerful earthquake kills dozens in eastern Indonesia. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/15/indonesia-earthquake