Flores, en.SERU.co.id – A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 4.58 am WIB and briefly triggered a tsunami early warning. The warning was later cancelled after monitoring showed no significant rise in sea levels that posed a danger to the public. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks and to stay away from damaged buildings.
BMKG officially ended the tsunami early warning at 7.30 am WIB once observations confirmed that sea levels were no longer rising significantly.
Deputy for Geophysics at BMKG, Nelly Florida Riama, said updated parameters placed the epicenter at sea at coordinates 8.41° South and 121.39° East. The location is about 30 kilometers northeast of Nagekeo, NTT, at a depth of 15 kilometers.
“The tsunami early warning has been declared over, but aftershocks are still occurring. We hope the public remains calm and does not fall for irresponsible rumors. Always update information from official BMKG channels,” Nelly said, as quoted from the BMKG website on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Although the warning status has ended, BMKG recorded that tsunami waves did reach several coastal areas. The highest wave measured 0.94 meters at Maurole, Ende, at 5.27 am WIB. Waves were also recorded in Sikka at 0.20 meters at 5.03 am WIB, Kewapante-Sikka Port at 0.38 meters at 5.16 am WIB, East Flores at 0.25 meters at 5.24 am WIB, and Labuan Bajo at 0.36 meters at 5.26 am WIB.
Strong Shaking Felt Across the Region
The tremor was felt at varying intensities. BMKG recorded intensity V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale in Ende City, Borong and Ruteng, where the shaking was strong enough to wake many people and was felt by almost the entire population. Intensity VI MMI was recorded in Wolowae, Nagekeo Regency, and Bajawa City, where the shaking was strong enough to startle residents and send them running outdoors.
Director of Earthquake and Tsunami at BMKG, Wijayanto, said that by 7.07 am WIB a total of 37 aftershocks had been detected with magnitudes ranging from 3.6 to 6.2. One of those aftershocks was felt by the public.
“This earthquake activity is linked to the Flores Back-Arc Thrust zone, which has the potential to produce large quakes. In this Flores back-arc zone the maximum potential is magnitude 7.8 to 7.9,” Wijayanto said.
He noted that the region has a history of major earthquakes. In 1992 a magnitude 7.5 quake in the Flores area caused significant damage and a tsunami. After nearly three decades, another large release of energy has occurred in the same zone.
Read Also:
Record Rain Hits Japan, Killing 8 and Stranding Thousands
Buildings Damaged in Several Areas
Director of Engineering Seismology, Potential Geophysics and Time Signals at BMKG, Teguh Rahayu, said early impacts are already visible in several places. Initial monitoring by the Kupang Geophysical Station and coordination with local disaster agencies showed that a number of buildings had suffered damage.
Parts of simple house walls were reported to have collapsed in Maumere, West Manggarai and Labuan Bajo. Damage was also recorded at Maumere Port facilities and the Jayakarta Bajo Hotel building.
Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Communication Centre, Berton SP Panjaitan, said public safety remains the top priority in the post-earthquake response. According to temporary data received by BNPB, two people have died. The figures are still being verified together with BMKG, local BPBD offices, regional governments and other related agencies before being confirmed as official.
Residents Urged to Stay Alert for Aftershocks
BMKG reminded the public not to treat the end of the tsunami warning as a sign that all risks have passed. Aftershock activity is still ongoing, so continued vigilance is needed, especially for residents whose buildings have cracks or structural damage. People are asked to stay away from damaged structures and to check the condition of their homes before re-entering. Residents are also urged not to spread information that has not been verified. (aan/mzm)
Indonesian Version:
Gempa M7,7 Guncang Flores, BMKG Imbau Warga Waspadai Gempa Susulan
