Powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia's Flores Island

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia on August 15, 2026. The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers at approximately 05:58 local time. Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for coastal residents, urging them to evacuate to higher ground, but the alert was lifted hours later after no significant sea level changes were detected.

While initial reports from the National Disaster Management Agency cited two fatalities, updated information provided by provincial officials indicates that at least 20 people have died, six are injured, and two remain trapped under rubble. The earthquake, which followed a series of strong aftershocks—including one reaching 6.1 magnitude—caused significant building collapses in the East Nusa Tenggara province. Regional governor reports confirm that several victims were crushed by falling debris. Indonesia remains in the high-seismic 'Ring of Fire' zone, a region responsible for 90% of the world's earthquakes.

Disaster relief teams are currently on-site conducting search and rescue operations. Officials continue to monitor the situation, verify casualty figures, and assess the extent of the damage caused by the seismic activity.