A shallow 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia on Saturday morning. The tremor damaged multiple...
By GT24x7 Reporter··GlobalToday24x7
A massive and shallow earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck off the northern coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, eastern Indonesia, early Saturday morning. According to data released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the powerful quake occurred at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The epicenter of the earthquake was located roughly 68 kilometers northwest of Ende Regency, causing intense shaking across the region that woke thousands of residents and sparked widespread panic.
Following the main seismic event, Indonesian authorities immediately issued a high-level tsunami warning for coastal areas across East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara. Coastal communities were urged to evacuate immediately to higher ground as a precautionary measure. However, after continuous oceanographic monitoring confirmed that sea-level fluctuations remained below critical thresholds, the BMKG officially lifted the tsunami warning, relieving fears of major inundation along the shorelines.
Structural Damage and Hospital Evacuations Across Regencies
The strong tremors caused significant structural damage to residential homes, public infrastructure, and commercial establishments across several regencies on Flores Island, including Maumere, Manggarai, Nagekeo, and Labuan Bajo. Visuals from the affected areas showed collapsed walls, damaged airport facilities, shattered glass, and caved-in roofs. At the maritime passenger terminal in Maumere, structural collapses triggered immediate emergency rescue operations to clear debris and assist trapped individuals.
Local hospitals and healthcare facilities across the region initiated emergency protocols, evacuating hundreds of patients outdoors to open spaces and temporary tents as a precaution against strong aftershocks. Medical staff were seen attending to patients on hospital beds set up along driveways while disaster management teams assessed the structural safety of main hospital buildings before permitting re-entry.
Ongoing Relief Operations and Aftershock Monitoring
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and local Search and Rescue (SAR) units have deployed field teams across Flores and neighboring islands to conduct rapid damage assessments and clear blocked roads caused by minor landslides and debris. Disaster response authorities are setting up temporary shelters and distributing emergency relief supplies, including medical kits, food, clean water, and tarpaulins, to displaced families who are hesitant to return indoors.
Geophysics agencies have recorded dozens of aftershocks following the primary magnitude 7.7 quake, with the largest aftershock measuring over 6.0. Disaster officials continue to advise residents across East Nusa Tenggara to stay alert, avoid damaged structures, and remain prepared for potential secondary tremors as emergency personnel work to restore normal communications and power supplies across the region.