Two Dead, One Injured After Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Hits Indonesian Coast

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake jolted the coast of Indonesia's Flores Island on Saturday, August 15, leaving at least two people dead and one injured. The tremor struck near the town of Ende around 6:00 AM local time, with its epicenter located about 62 kilometers northwest of Ende and 162 kilometers east-northeast of Labuan Bajo, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed the casualties in a statement, noting that the quake was felt strongly across the region. Although an initial tsunami alert was activated, it was later suspended. Images from the National Search and Rescue Agency show collapsed buildings in various locations on Flores Island, with the city of Maumere, approximately 100 kilometers from the epicenter, also impacted. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported damage to several buildings and subsequent evacuations. The BMKG also recorded 37 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 3.6 to 6.2. An estimated 2 million people inhabit Flores Island, a region situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for its significant seismic and volcanic activity.

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The incident leaves two dead and one injured.