The short version
- A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores island in eastern Indonesia, killing at least two people.
- Authorities issued and subsequently lifted a tsunami warning after monitoring showed no significant sea level changes.
- Widespread damage to buildings and homes was reported, with residents evacuating to higher ground amid aftershocks.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, killing at least two people and causing widespread panic across the Flores region. The shallow quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers according to the US Geological Survey, hit at 5:58 am local time. Its epicenter was located approximately 68 kilometers northwest of the coastal town of Ende, off the north coast of Flores island.
Disaster agency spokesperson Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan confirmed two fatalities—a man and a woman—while noting that authorities were still assessing the full extent of the damage. The initial tremor was followed by at least two aftershocks, including one measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. Residents in Nagekeo regency, the area closest to the epicenter, immediately fled their homes for higher ground as buildings and homes collapsed.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and structural failure. Lukas Lotar, a 31-year-old hospital customer service official, reported that patients fled the facility due to the intensity of the shaking, which caused walls to crack. Yohanes Babo, a 56-year-old resident who was at a market when the quake struck, said people were running in all directions as they evacuated toward the hills. He noted that his family remained safe, but the panic was palpable throughout the community.
Images broadcast on Indonesian television showed hundreds of people evacuating areas surrounded by rubble from damaged structures. In Sikka regency, part of East Nusa Tenggara province, resident Yohanna Embu reported significant damage to multiple buildings, including the collapse of a waiting room at the Maumere port terminal. The quake was felt across much of Flores island, with initial reports indicating heavy damage in several locations.
Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning following the undersea earthquake. However, Indonesia’s meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG) later lifted the alert after monitoring data showed no significant sea level changes that would pose a threat to coastal communities. Wijayanto, the BMKG earthquake and tsunami director, stated that while the warning had been ended, officials would continue to monitor sea levels closely.
The disaster highlights the ongoing seismic risks faced by Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” This region is characterized by active volcanoes and fault lines, making it prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The shallow nature of this particular quake likely contributed to the intensity of the shaking felt on the surface.
While the immediate tsunami threat has been downgraded for Indonesian coastal areas, regional warnings remain in effect for other parts of the Pacific. Australia’s tsunami warning center confirmed that the earthquake poses no threat to the Australian mainland, islands, or territories. As rescue and assessment operations continue, authorities are working to determine if additional casualties or infrastructure damage have occurred in remote areas.
The incident has drawn significant attention online, with users expressing concern over the major natural disaster. The rapid response by local residents to seek higher ground likely prevented a higher death toll from potential tsunami waves, despite the eventual lifting of the warning. The focus now shifts to recovery efforts and evaluating the structural integrity of damaged buildings in the affected regencies.
Officials have not yet released a comprehensive list of all damaged properties or injured individuals beyond the two confirmed fatalities. The presence of aftershocks continues to complicate rescue operations and may cause further instability in already compromised structures. International aid organizations are monitoring the situation, ready to assist if the scale of the disaster expands.
This event underscores the vulnerability of coastal communities in Indonesia to seismic activity. While no tsunami occurred, the initial warning prompted necessary evacuations that likely saved lives. The coming days will be critical for determining the long-term impact on local infrastructure and the economic stability of the affected regions.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia, killing two
- NBC News↗Magnitude-7.7 quake hits off coast of Indonesia, killing at least 2
- AP News↗Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's coast, toppling buildings and killing at least 2
