Powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Flores island

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores island, prompting brief tsunami warnings and coastal evacuations before the alert was lifted.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province, triggering temporary tsunami alerts across the region.
According to seismological agencies, including the United States Geological Survey and the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the undersea tremor occurred at a shallow depth approximately 70 kilometres from the town of Ende. Several aftershocks followed in the same area, with at least one tremor registering a magnitude of 6.1.
Indonesian authorities initially advised coastal residents to evacuate due to potential tsunami waves, though officials later lifted the alert. While residents reported severe shaking and panic, emergency officials are continuing to assess the extent of structural damage and potential casualties across affected communities.
Sources: Corriere della Sera, Die Zeit, Il Messaggero, ORF, Sweden Herald
Sources
- Sweden Herald — 7.7 magnitude earthquake off Indonesia’s Flores island triggers evacuation warnings
- Il Messaggero — Terremoto Indonesia oggi di magnitudo 7.7, scatta l'allerta tsunami
- Die Zeit — Indonesien: Schweres Erdbeben erschüttert indonesische Urlaubsinsel
- ORF — Schweres Beben vor Indonesien
- Corriere della Sera — Terremoto in Indonesia, magnitudo 7.7. Edifici crollati, la conta delle vittime: «Evacuate le coste»
Earlier coverage
- Aug 17, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCStrong earthquake off Flores island triggers tsunami waves and leaves dozens dead
- Aug 16, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCMagnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Flores island
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