A strong earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale shook eastern Indonesia in the early hours of the morning, causing widespread panic, loss of life and serious material damage on the island of Flores and the wider province of East Nusa Tenggara .
According to official data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysical Agency BMKG , the earthquake occurred at 05:58 local time (00:58 Greek time) in an underwater area, approximately 68 kilometers northwest of the city of Ende and 38 kilometers northeast of Bai in the Ngekeo region.
The focal depth of the earthquake was estimated to be between 10 and 15 kilometers , an extremely shallow depth that had the direct result that the tremors were felt with enormous intensity throughout the region, even reaching the southern coast of South Sulawesi .
The violence of the tremor led to the immediate collapse of building infrastructure and houses that were cracked or leveled within seconds.
According to initial reports from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the joint search and rescue team (SAR ), at least five confirmed deaths were recorded, including a 54-year-old woman who was crushed by the rubble of her house, as well as several injured.
Rescuers have been immediately mobilized and are operating at the sites of the collapses, while hundreds of terrified residents have left their homes en masse in Ngekeo , Ruteng and Ende , remaining on the streets for fear of new collapses.
Concerns peaked just minutes after the main impact, when the BMKG issued an official tsunami warning , warning of possible waves between 0.5 and 3 meters high. In the coastal town of Maumere , residents and local reporters reported the classic warning phenomenon of the sea suddenly receding , which triggered a general flight to higher ground and safer heights. Authorities issued an urgent appeal for the immediate evacuation of the northern and southern coastal zones of the island of Flores. In the end, tide gauge records showed low sea waves, between 14 and 30 centimeters , averting the worst-case scenario and allowing authorities to lift the tsunami alert a few hours later.
Despite the de-escalation of the maritime risk, the situation on land remains extremely fluid due to intense aftershock activity. Dozens of aftershocks have already been recorded, with the strongest reaching magnitudes of 5.6 to 6.1 on the Richter scale , causing further stress to already weakened buildings. Significant problems have been identified in the transport network, as extensive landslides blocked parts of the central Trans Flores road, especially between the Ende and Bajawa areas, making access for rescue vehicles difficult. At the same time, damage was reported to port facilities and the regional airport of Ruteng , while local authorities are making efforts to restore power and communication networks.
Geodynamically, the 7.7-magnitude earthquake is attributed to a reverse fault in the Flores back-arc thrust zone , an extremely active tectonic fault that runs through the north of the island chain. The Indonesian archipelago lies on the Pacific’s notorious “Ring of Fire,” where the Indo-Australian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. The constant collision of these plates makes the region one of the most seismically active corners of the planet.
The magnitude and characteristics of the tremors evoked memories of the deadly 2018 disaster in Palu, where a 7.5-magnitude earthquake and the subsequent tsunami killed more than 2,200 people.
Damage assessment and humanitarian aid operations continue at an intensive pace by rescue teams and the state apparatus. The priority remains the safe temporary housing of displaced residents, the distribution of basic supplies and medical equipment, as well as the static assessment of buildings in order to avoid new tragedies during the ongoing aftershocks.
The rapid response of the authorities and the timely removal of the population from the coast proved decisive in limiting the number of victims, however, the process of restoring infrastructure on the island of Flores is expected to be long and demanding.
