Powerful earthquake hits Indonesia leaving dozens dead

On August 15, 2026, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia. The tremor occurred at 05:58 local time at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located approximately 68 kilometers north-northwest of the city of Ende in the East Nusa Tenggara province. The seismic event triggered an initial tsunami warning, which was lifted three hours later after only minor waves of less than one meter were recorded.

According to the latest figures from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the death toll has risen to 47. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, although efforts to reach the Nagekeo region—the area closest to the epicenter—have been severely hampered by landslides that blocked roads and interrupted communication lines. Local authorities report that around 2,000 residents have evacuated their homes, and several buildings have sustained significant damage.

This region, known as the 'Ring of Fire,' is highly prone to seismic activity. Shortly after the main event, a separate earthquake measuring between 6.3 and 6.9 magnitude occurred in northern Sumatra, though authorities are treating it as a distinct geological incident. Emergency teams continue to assess the full extent of the damage in the affected areas of Flores.