Strong earthquake off Flores island triggers tsunami waves and leaves dozens dead
Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia are searching for survivors after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Flores island, leaving dozens dead and causing widespread damage.
Rescue operations are underway across eastern Indonesia following a shallow magnitude 7.7 earthquake off the coast of Flores island on Saturday morning. The tremor caused extensive structural damage, collapsing buildings and triggering dozens of aftershocks alongside localized tsunami waves reaching up to one meter before authorities lifted coastal warnings.
Casualty figures continue to fluctuate as emergency teams navigate debris and severed transport links to reach isolated settlements. Regional disaster response agencies and local officials reported death tolls ranging between five and 38 individuals, with additional residents injured or reported missing. Search and rescue personnel in Maumere and Ende remain deployed to locate survivors trapped beneath rubble.
Sources: ANSA, Digi24, Expresso das Ilhas, Newsmaker, Ziarul de Gardă
Sources
- ANSA — Terremoto di magnitudo 7.7 in Indonesia, diramata allerta tsunami
- Digi24 — Cutremur cu magnitudinea 7,7 în largul Indoneziei. Cel puțin cinci persoane au murit
- Expresso das Ilhas — Sismo de magnitude 7,7 faz pelo menos 20 mortos na Indonésia
- Ziarul de Gardă — Cutremur cu magnitudinea de 7,7 în estul Indoneziei: cel puțin 20 de morți și zeci de replici
- Newsmaker — Indonezia, lovită de un cutremur de 7,7 grade: cel puțin 38 de persoane au murit
Earlier coverage
- Aug 16, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCMagnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Flores island
- Aug 16, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCMagnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia, leaving dozens dead
- Aug 16, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCRescue operations continue in eastern Indonesia following magnitude 7.7 earthquake
- Aug 16, 2026, 03:00 AM UTCMagnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia, leaving dozens dead
- Aug 15, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCDeath toll climbs to around 40 following magnitude 7.7 earthquake in eastern Indonesia
- Aug 15, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCDeath toll rises after magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia
- Aug 15, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCPowerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Flores island