A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia's Flores Island on Saturday, 15 August 2026.
The Earthquake was intensely felt across the region, with locals describing the sensation as feeling "like a trampoline." The disaster left at least 53 people dead and displaced thousands. Meanwhile, more than 1,300 homes and 167 public facilities—including schools, health clinics, and churches—have been heavily damaged or reduced to rubble.
The region remains highly unstable, rattled by hundreds of aftershocks, including subsequent 6.1 and 5.9-magnitude tremors. Fearing further collapses, thousands of survivors are refusing to return indoors and are sleeping in makeshift outdoor tents.
More than 3,500 military, police, and search-and-rescue personnel (BASARNAS) have been deployed to dig through rubble and clear roads. Local authorities are currently considering declaring an official state of emergency for East Nusa Tenggara to unlock critical disaster relief funds and expedite the distribution of food, water, and medical aid.
