Powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Indonesia's Flores Island

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck off the northern coast of Flores Island, Indonesia, on August 15, 2026. The seismic event occurred at 05:58 local time at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located 68 kilometers from the city of Ende in the East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Early reports from the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency indicate that at least two people, a man and a woman, have been killed. While the exact scale of property damage remains under assessment, authorities confirmed that the primary shock was followed by several strong aftershocks. Sources vary slightly on these; Rik News reports two aftershocks measuring 5.6 and 5.9, while the USGS notes several aftershocks with the strongest reaching 6.1.

Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning following the initial tremor due to the shallow depth of the event. Disaster management officials in Jakarta are currently verifying information regarding casualties and infrastructure damage. Further official announcements are expected as search and rescue teams continue to assess the situation across the affected region.