A devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Flores in the early hours of Saturday morning, leaving at least 38 people dead according to the country’s disaster mitigation agency. The tremor occurred shortly before 5 a.m. local time at a depth of 15 kilometers, with dozens of powerful aftershocks rippling through the region in the following hours, including one measuring 6.1 in magnitude.
The shallow depth of the initial quake amplified its destructive impact on the ground level. Structural damage was widespread across the region, with numerous buildings collapsing or sustaining serious harm. Footage from the port in Maumere captured the moment large sections of concrete broke away from a terminal building, with some individuals swept into the sea as a ferry gangway gave way. Authorities documented deaths across multiple provinces, with Manggarai identified as the most severely affected area.
Residents reported terrifying experiences during the earthquake, with some describing violent shaking that felt overwhelming. A tsunami warning was issued immediately but later lifted after approximately three hours when no significant ocean level changes materialized. Thousands of people evacuated to higher ground and remained outdoors for extended periods, fearing their homes would collapse during aftershocks. Preliminary damage assessments indicated that dozens of houses and several critical facilities, including health centers and government buildings, had sustained severe destruction.
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