Flores, Indonesia, 15 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) A powerful magnitude 7.7 Indonesia earthquake struck off Flores early on Saturday, triggering tsunami alerts across several coastal areas and sending residents away from shorelines as emergency officials began assessing damage.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded the earthquake at 4.58am Western Indonesian Time. The agency placed the epicentre in waters around 30 kilometres north-east of Nagekeo in East Nusa Tenggara and estimated a depth of 15 kilometres.
The US Geological Survey also measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.7, locating it approximately 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende.
Initial reports indicated damage to buildings on Flores. Authorities had not confirmed any deaths in the early assessments, while checks continued across communities affected by the strongest shaking.
Tsunami threat prompts warnings across coastal districts
BMKG issued its first tsunami warning within minutes of detecting the earthquake.
The agency identified coastal areas of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and South Sulawesi among those facing a potential threat.
Several districts, including northern Manggarai, northern Ngada, Ende, Flores Timur and Jeneponto, were placed under a higher warning category. BMKG modelling indicated that tsunami heights of between 0.5 metres and three metres were possible within areas covered by that classification.
Other locations, including Bima, Dompu and Wajo, were placed under lower-level warnings.
Residents affected by evacuation instructions were told to leave vulnerable coastal areas and follow directions from local authorities.
Reports later indicated that relatively small tsunami waves, measuring approximately 19cm to 30cm, had been detected.
Damage reported as powerful shaking hits Flores
Strong tremors were felt across parts of Flores following the Indonesia earthquake, with BMKG estimating shaking as high as level VII on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale in Aesesa, Riung and Mbay.
Damage was subsequently reported in several locations.
The Associated Press reported that part of a passenger waiting area at the port in Maumere collapsed. Damage was also reported at Ritapiret Seminary during morning Mass, where part of the roof of a hall fell.
The seminary’s rector told the news agency that one priest suffered a broken leg after jumping from the second floor during the earthquake.
A series of aftershocks followed the main tremor, keeping residents and emergency authorities on alert.
BMKG urges public to remain cautious
BMKG advised people to remain calm and rely on information issued through official channels rather than unverified reports circulating online.
Residents were also warned not to enter buildings showing signs of structural damage.
For communities covered by tsunami alerts, authorities stressed the importance of remaining away from beaches, river mouths and other low-lying coastal areas until official warnings were lifted.
Flores has history of destructive earthquakes
Indonesia is one of the world’s most seismically active countries because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet.
Flores has previously experienced deadly earthquakes and tsunamis. In December 1992, a magnitude 7 earthquake generated a tsunami that devastated communities on the island and killed about 2,500 people.
The region’s history means large offshore earthquakes can trigger rapid warnings even before the size of any resulting tsunami is known.
Authorities Monitor Aftershocks and Coastal Risks
Indonesian authorities are expected to continue checking affected communities, infrastructure and public buildings while monitoring aftershocks from Saturday’s Indonesia earthquake.
BMKG will continue analysing seismic activity and sea-level observations before updating or cancelling tsunami alerts.
People in affected districts have been advised to follow local evacuation instructions and remain clear of vulnerable coastal areas until authorities confirm the threat has passed.
