Powerful 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Eastern Indonesia, Damaging Buildings and Triggering Tsunami Warning

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia on Saturday, August 15, 2026, causing damage to buildings and prompting residents to flee to higher ground.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning following the significant seismic event. The earthquake's epicenter was located near Flores in the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) province. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported the quake's origin at a depth of 15 kilometers, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay-Nagekeo.

Several aftershocks were recorded in the hours following the main tremor. Initial reports indicated damage to various structures, including hotels and public facilities like churches, hospitals, and schools in areas such as Labuan Bajo. The tsunami early warning was eventually lifted after sea level monitoring confirmed no ongoing threat.

BMKG officials advised continued vigilance, as aftershocks were expected to persist for days or even weeks, although their intensity was predicted to decrease over time. The seismic activity was attributed to the Flores Back Arc Thrust fault system.