Jakarta, August 15, 2026: A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island in the eastern part of the country early Saturday, causing widespread damage, landslides and panic among residents.
The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres, with the epicentre located off northern Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province. Buildings and homes collapsed in several areas, while roads were blocked by landslides, complicating rescue operations.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported that the death toll had risen to at least 47, with several people injured. Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings and isolated areas for survivors, while power and communication disruptions hampered emergency operations.
The earthquake also triggered a tsunami warning along affected coastlines, prompting around 2,000 residents to evacuate to safer areas. The warning was later lifted after monitoring showed no continuing major tsunami threat. Small tsunami waves were nevertheless recorded in some coastal locations, with the highest reported wave reaching about 1.61 metres.
Authorities have warned residents to remain cautious because of continuing aftershocks and the risk of further landslides. Emergency agencies are assessing the full extent of the destruction as rescue and relief operations continue.
Indonesia sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions, making the country particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
The situation remains developing, and casualty and damage figures may change as rescue teams reach more affected areas.
