Indonesia: 7.7‑Magnitude quake kills five, triggers aftershocks

At least five people have died in the early‑morning quake that struck the island of Flores, as officials say the dead were buried under collapsed buildings.

Port of Maumere damaged in the quake.

The 7.7‑magnitude shock, depth 15 km, hit just before 5 a.m. local time. In the hours that followed, emergency crews combed through rubble while a tsunami warning was upheld before being lifted after roughly three hours.

Strong aftershocks, including a 6.1‑magnitude tremor, rattled the area and caused concrete blocks to fall from the terminal at Maumere ferry port, smashing passengers and leaving portions of the building in ruins.

Authorities evacuated around two thousand residents in Nagekeo province, and the national disaster agency, BNPB, urged people to stay away from coastal zones and recently damaged buildings.

Local residents reported waking to intense shaking; some fled to hills while others waited for waves that had temporarily receded. The situation remains fluid with ongoing assessment of casualties and damage.

Source: BBC News, 15 August 2026