JAKARTA (Realist English). A powerful 7.7‑magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island on the morning of 15 August.
The tremors caused panic among residents, destroyed dozens of buildings and resulted in casualties. Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning but later cancelled it.
Epicentre and parameters
The earthquake was recorded at 04:58 local time (00:58 Moscow time) at sea off the northern coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was at a depth of 10–15 km. The epicentre was located 30 km northeast of the town of Ngakeo or 68 km northwest of the town of Ende. A series of aftershocks followed, the strongest of which reached magnitude 6.1.
Casualties and damage
As of the morning of 15 August, the death toll varies depending on the source. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported at least 14 dead. Some media outlets have reported no fewer than 20 fatalities. At least two people have been injured.
The disaster caused serious infrastructure damage. Destroyed or damaged:
- more than 50 residential homes;
- hospitals – part of a medical facility building collapsed in the village of Aeramo;
- schools and government buildings;
- a Catholic seminary in the coastal village of Sikka – the roof of the assembly hall collapsed during morning mass;
- Laurens Say port in the town of Maumere – one building destroyed.
Residents fled their homes in panic. Maumere resident Teresia Uta told CNN that “it was the strongest and longest earthquake” of her life. In Maumere, people ran into the streets. About 2,000 residents of Ngakeo district were evacuated as a precaution.
Tsunami: warning and cancellation
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning immediately after the earthquake for East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara provinces. However, less than an hour later, the warning was cancelled. According to authorities, waves of up to 1 metre were recorded in the Maulole and Ende areas, but they posed no serious threat.
Rescue operations
The National Search and Rescue Agency (SAR) has deployed rescue teams and helicopters to the affected areas. Rescuers are clearing rubble in search of possible survivors.
However, access to some areas is hampered by landslides that have blocked roads, as well as by the island landscape of the region, which consists of numerous islands.
Indonesia lies on the “Pacific Ring of Fire” – a zone of high seismic activity. Flores Island, with a population of about 2 million, has repeatedly experienced devastating earthquakes.
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage, and the death toll may rise as new information comes in from remote areas. Rescue operations are ongoing.
