Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Jolts Flores, Sikka Regent Urges Vigilance

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted Flores Island in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province on Saturday, prompting local authorities to issue calls for calm and vigilance. Sikka Regent Juventus Prima Yago addressed residents, urging them to remain composed and prioritize their safety and that of their families.

The earthquake, which occurred at 5:58 AM local time, had its epicenter northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency, with a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG). The tremors were felt strongly in Sikka Regency.

Regent Yago specifically advised those living in coastal areas to stay alert for potential tsunami warnings, emphasizing that while the tsunami risk was assessed as relatively low, safety remains paramount. He also instructed residents to temporarily avoid buildings that might be unsafe, coastal areas, and riverbanks, and to move to safe locations if evacuation becomes necessary.

Authorities, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the National Police (Polri), are monitoring the situation. Residents are encouraged to follow official information from the BMKG, BPBD, and the Sikka Regency government, and to prepare emergency kits with essential supplies. They are also urged not to spread unverified information.