Powerful 7.7 Magnitude Quake Strikes Eastern Region, Triggering Tsunami Waves and Fatalities

This article was updated on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:15 AM WIB to include central government emergency response measures and ministerial deployments to the disaster zone.

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — A massive magnitude 7.7 undersea earthquake rocked the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) early Saturday morning, killing at least two people, damaging coastal infrastructure, and triggering localized tsunami surges across central and eastern island chains.

The seismic event struck at 05:58 local time (WITA) roughly 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at a shallow depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers), according to data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the country’s primary weather and seismic monitoring body.

The shallow, high-magnitude tremor struck near key logistics hubs and premium travel corridors, including Labuan Bajo—the gateway to the Komodo National Park and a centerpiece of the national tourism strategy. While the swift lifting of tsunami warnings averted catastrophic broader destruction, emerging-market investors are monitoring potential localized supply chain snarls, port disruptions, and state emergency expenditures required for rapid structural rehabilitation.

Fatalities and Infrastructure Damage in Flores

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNNP) confirmed two fatalities—one man and one woman—and one person injured in the El Say Port area within Sikka Regency, where coastal structures suffered structural collapses. Search and rescue teams comprising the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the military, and police forces deployed immediately to conduct emergency evacuations and secure damaged zones.

"The incident resulted in two fatalities and one person injured," said Berton SP Panjaitan, Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, in a press statement on Saturday. "Casualty data is still undergoing further verification and recording by field teams."

Sikka Regent Juventus Prima Yoris Kago appealed for calm while instructing residents near shorelines and riverbanks to temporarily seek higher ground and steer clear of compromised buildings. Several government and commercial facilities in Maumere, the largest town on Flores island, suffered partial structural collapses following prolonged ground acceleration lasting over a minute.

"I urge all residents of Sikka Regency to remain calm, avoid panic, and consistently prioritize the safety of themselves and their families," Juventus stated in an official advisory released via state news agency Antara on Saturday morning.

Panic Near the Epicenter

In Mbay, Nagekeo—the area closest to the offshore epicenter—ground shaking lasted approximately one minute, prompting mass evacuations toward higher elevations amid immediate tsunami warnings.

"We were told to watch out for a tsunami because the earthquake's epicenter was northeast of Mbay," said Kasmir Ndoy, a resident of Mbay, on Saturday morning. "Many coastal residents have already evacuated to the hills."

Residents across surrounding districts reported persistent smaller aftershocks throughout the morning, forcing families to remain outdoors on streets and in open fields to avoid potential structural collapses.

Tsunami Warnings Lifted After Localized Surges

BMKG issued an immediate Level 2 tsunami warning across NTT, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi before officially terminating the alert later in the morning as wave heights stabilized. The highest sea-level rise was registered in Maurole, Ende Regency, reaching 3.1 feet (0.94 meters).

Other coastal monitoring stations detected minor wave surges, including 1.77 feet (0.54 meters) in Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, and 1.18 feet (0.36 meters) near the tourism hub of Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai. Smaller fluctuations ranging from 0.45 feet to 1.25 feet (0.14 to 0.38 meters) were recorded across Alor, Dompu, East Flores, and Baubau.

Strong tremors reverberated hundreds of miles outward, prompting residents in Mataram on Lombok Island to evacuate their homes during the morning rush. Multiple significant aftershocks followed the main temblor, including two magnitude 6.2 tremors within thirty minutes of the initial rupture.

Central Government Mobilizes Emergency Response

State Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that the central government has initiated a coordinated cross-agency emergency response to address the disaster in East Nusa Tenggara.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Pratikno alongside National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Lt. Gen. Suharyanto are deploying directly to Nagekeo on Saturday to oversee emergency operations and damage assessments.

"Since early this morning, I have been coordinating with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development, the Head of Basarnas, BMKG, BNPB, and the NTT Governor to ensure total readiness and attention during this critical initial phase," Hadi said in a statement released in Jakarta on Saturday.

BNPB has mobilized emergency rapid-response teams, logistics, and disaster-relief equipment to assist regional authorities with casualty care, initial damage surveys, and basic humanitarian aid.