7.7-Magnitude Quake Strikes Indonesia’s Flores, Death Toll Rises to 20

JAKARTA, Aug 15: A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island early Saturday, killing at least 20 people, injuring several others and damaging buildings and homes, while a brief tsunami warning sent thousands of residents fleeing to higher ground.

The shallow quake struck the Flores region at around 5:58 am local time, with the epicentre reported about 68 km north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. Strong aftershocks followed the main tremor, complicating rescue operations.

The earthquake caused widespread panic, with videos on social media showing buildings collapsing and residents running for safety. Several structures were damaged in areas including Sikka, Nagekeo and other parts of Flores.

Residents reported severe shaking, cracked walls and damage to public buildings. A waiting room at the port terminal in Maumere was among the structures reported to have collapsed. Hospitals also evacuated patients after buildings were damaged.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning following the earthquake and urged residents along vulnerable coastal areas to immediately move inland or to higher ground. The warning was later lifted after no major tsunami threat remained. Minor waves of less than one metre were recorded in some areas.

Around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo reportedly evacuated their homes to temporary shelters as authorities began rescue and relief operations. Access to some areas was hampered by landslides, damaged roads and communication disruptions.

Flores has a history of deadly earthquakes and tsunamis. A magnitude-7 earthquake in 1992 triggered a tsunami that killed about 2,500 people on Flores, highlighting the continuing seismic risks faced by the region.

Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire and is frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic activity. (Agencies)