A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Flores Island early Saturday, resulting in at least 20 confirmed deaths. The United States Geological Survey recorded the epicenter 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende at a depth of 10 kilometers. Rescue teams are currently working in the port town of Maumere, where officials report six injuries and multiple people trapped under debris.
Communications are currently limited in the Nagekeo regency, which sits closest to the epicenter. Emergency teams face difficulties reaching these areas due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing power outages. The national disaster mitigation agency reported that approximately 2,000 residents have evacuated their homes, with significant structural damage reported to warehouses, residences, and government buildings throughout the region.
Local authorities issued a temporary tsunami warning shortly after the initial impact, advising coastal residents to move to higher ground. While that warning has since been lifted, government agencies and local weather bureaus warn that aftershocks could continue for several days. Rescue operations remain active across the island as teams attempt to reach remote locations and assess the full scale of the destruction.
Indonesia is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region frequently impacted by seismic activity. Historical data indicates that the Flores Island region is particularly vulnerable, with a 1992 earthquake and tsunami in the same area resulting in over 2,500 fatalities. Officials expect the current death toll to increase as search efforts reach isolated villages and the full extent of the structural damage becomes clear.