Jakarta, August 15, 2026: Panic spread across parts of eastern Indonesia after a powerful earthquake struck near Flores early Saturday, damaging buildings, forcing residents to evacuate and briefly raising fears of a tsunami. The magnitude 7.7 earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, while authorities launched emergency response operations across affected areas.
The earthquake was recorded offshore near Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province. According to the US Geological Survey, the shallow tremor occurred around 68 kilometres northwest of Ende. The intensity of the shaking prompted residents in several coastal communities to move towards higher ground as a precaution.
Casualties and Damage Reported
The human toll from the earthquake continued to emerge as rescue teams assessed affected areas. Later reports put the number of confirmed deaths at five, with people reportedly killed after being struck by debris. Local authorities also reported injuries and damage to homes, public buildings and other infrastructure.
In some locations, the force of the earthquake caused structures to collapse or sustain significant damage. Hospitals also took precautionary measures, with patients moved outside in some areas following the strong tremors.
Tsunami Warning Issued, Later Withdrawn
The offshore location and shallow depth of the earthquake initially raised concerns about tsunami activity. Indonesia’s meteorological and geophysical authorities issued a tsunami warning for potentially affected coastal areas and advised people near the shoreline to move inland or to higher elevations.
The warning was subsequently cancelled after monitoring indicated that there was no continuing significant sea-level threat to coastal communities.
Residents in places including Maumere responded quickly to the alert, with people leaving buildings and moving towards safer locations. Reports from the area described scenes of confusion and fear as the ground shook strongly.
Aftershocks Keep Residents Alert
The main earthquake was followed by a series of aftershocks, adding to concerns among residents and emergency responders. Authorities urged people to remain cautious and follow official instructions while assessment and rescue operations continued.
Witness accounts from affected communities described strong shaking, with some residents reporting cracks in buildings. Images from the region also showed damaged structures and people gathering outdoors for safety.
Indonesia’s High Earthquake Risk
Indonesia regularly experiences earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active zones for seismic and volcanic activity.
The country has experienced several catastrophic earthquakes and tsunamis in recent decades. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami caused enormous loss of life across the region, including around 170,000 deaths in Indonesia. In 2018, an earthquake and tsunami struck Palu on Sulawesi, while a series of powerful earthquakes also devastated Lombok that year.
The latest Flores earthquake has once again highlighted the continuing seismic risk faced by communities across Indonesia’s island provinces.
Authorities are continuing to evaluate the extent of structural damage and casualties while monitoring the region for further aftershocks.
