A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck a coastal area of Indonesia, killing 20 people and injuring several others.
According to a reports, the strong earthquake caused panic among residents in coastal areas, with many people rushing out of their homes and buildings. The tremors were felt across a wide area. According to the earthquake monitoring center, the quake struck at 4:58 a.m. local time at a depth of about 35 kilometers.
Following the earthquake, Indonesia’s geophysics agency initially issued a tsunami warning. Authorities said they were assessing the possible loss of life and property damage caused by the earthquake. Relief agencies in the affected areas were also placed on alert.
A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least five people as dozens of aftershocks shook the region. Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington reports that the quake caused landslides and road blocks. pic.twitter.com/WU0AwwVCiw
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 15, 2026
Rescue official Fathur Rahman told that the deaths were reported in four towns on Flores, a popular tourist destination. He said six people were injured and two remained trapped under rubble in the Nagekeo and neighboring Manggarai areas.
“Our focus will be on locating the victims who are buried under the rubble,” Fathur said by telephone while traveling by boat to Nagekeo, the hardest hit area. Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for intense seismic activity.
Amid concerns about possible aftershocks, residents were urged to take precautionary measures and follow instructions issued by authorities.
