A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island early Saturday, August 15, sending residents rushing out of buildings and triggering a major emergency response across parts of East Nusa Tenggara. Initial reports put the death toll at 20, but the number later rose to at least 38 as rescuers reached more affected areas and recovered victims.
The earthquake struck at around 5:58 a.m. local time, according to information cited from the US Geological Survey. Indonesian authorities initially recorded the earthquake at a depth of about 15 kilometres, while the USGS estimated a depth of roughly 10 kilometres. The relatively shallow depth contributed to strong shaking across Flores and nearby areas.
Dramatic visuals emerging from affected locations showed buildings shaking violently before parts of structures collapsed. Residents were seen running into open spaces as walls, roofs and other debris fell. The suddenness of the earthquake left people with little time to react, while repeated aftershocks added to the fear.
Maumere and surrounding areas were among those badly affected. Emergency officials reported deaths, injuries and people trapped beneath rubble. Damage was also reported to houses, warehouses and government facilities. In some locations, landslides blocked roads and made it difficult for rescue teams to reach isolated communities.
The disaster also disrupted electricity and communications. Power outages made it harder for residents to contact relatives and for authorities to assess the full scale of the destruction. Rescue teams faced additional challenges because roads were damaged and sections of the Trans-Flores highway became inaccessible.
Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning after the undersea earthquake. Residents in vulnerable coastal areas were urged to move to higher ground. The warning was later lifted after officials determined that the threat had passed. Reports said tsunami waves of less than one metre were observed in some locations.
Around 2,000 people evacuated from affected areas, according to Indonesian disaster authorities. Many residents chose to remain outside or in open spaces because of fears that additional aftershocks could bring down already weakened buildings.
Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions. Flores itself has experienced devastating earthquakes before. A major earthquake in 1992 generated a tsunami and killed thousands of people.
As rescue operations continue, officials are assessing damaged buildings, roads and public facilities. The rising death toll has increased concerns that more victims could be found in areas that remain difficult to access. Emergency crews are searching damaged structures while authorities work to provide shelter and essential supplies to displaced residents.
The disaster has once again highlighted Indonesia’s vulnerability to powerful earthquakes and the importance of rapid evacuation, earthquake-resistant construction and effective emergency communication.
Journalist Details
