A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores region early Saturday, August 15, 2026, causing widespread panic, damage to infrastructure, and claiming at least two lives. Two others were reported injured in the shallow tremor, which initially prompted a tsunami warning for several Indonesian provinces.
Impact and Evacuations Across Flores Island
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers at 5:58 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was approximately 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. The intense shaking led residents across Flores Island to rush outdoors, and hospitals initiated immediate evacuations of patients and essential equipment as aftershocks continued.
Tsunami Warning Issued and Lifted
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) swiftly issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi. Authorities urged residents in vulnerable zones to move to higher ground, advising them to go more than two kilometers inland or to areas at least 10 meters above sea level. The national disaster agency, BNPB, specifically called for immediate self-evacuation along the northern and southern coasts of Flores and nearby islands. However, the tsunami warning was later lifted after monitoring coastal tide gauges showed no significant sea-level changes posing a threat.
Residents Describe Panic and Damage
Residents described moments of terror following the earthquake. Lukas Lotar, a resident of Maumere, recounted, “Suddenly it started to shake, and I panicked.” He observed patients fleeing a local hospital and noted visible cracks in some walls. Yohanes Babo, 56, from Nagekeo, was at a market when the quake hit, stating, “The shaking was strong. Thankfully, we were already outside the house.” He added that people were “panicking, running here and there” and evacuating to the hills, confirming his family's safety.
While initial reports indicated damage to homes and public facilities, a comprehensive assessment of the destruction is still underway. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess the full extent of the earthquake's impact.