Indonesia hit by 7.7 earthquake killing at least 38, second quake strikes North Sumatra hours later

Main earthquake and casualties

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia at 5:58 AM local time on Saturday, 15 August 2026, with the epicenter located 68 km north-northwest of the city of Ende, in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a focal depth of 10 km per USGS, or 15 km per Indonesia's BKMG agency, in the maritime area off Flores island. Indonesia's BKMG recorded the quake at 04:58 local time. At least 38 people have been confirmed dead, with 2 seriously injured and 11 sustaining light injuries. Approximately 2,000 residents evacuated their homes voluntarily. The dead were recovered across three administrative areas: Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai. Among the victims, 8 people were recovered from a landslide in the village of Reok, in Manggarai, where search operations continue for two more residents believed buried under mud.

The head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) provided the official toll.

The death of 38 people has been confirmed, another two were seriously injured, 11 sustained light injuries and about 2,000 people left their homes on their own initiative.

Rescue operations and damage

Rescue teams had not yet reached Nagekeo, the area closest to the epicenter, as overland access was blocked by landslides. A team was attempting to reach the area by ferry. Power outages and telecommunications disruptions are complicating both rescue operations and damage assessment. BNPB initially reported 1 dead and 4 injured before the toll rose sharply. In Sikka, the roof of a Catholic seminary collapsed during morning mass; a priest was injured after jumping from the second floor, suffering a broken leg. Video from the port of Maumere, verified by Reuters, showed large pieces of the terminal building breaking off and falling on passengers waiting to board a ferry. The governor of East Nusa Tenggara, Emanuel Melkiandes Laka Leno, stated at a press conference that at least five people died from falling debris while sleeping. Many patients were preventively evacuated from hospitals, with doctors and nurses moving beds, oxygen bottles and other medical equipment outdoors. Damage to houses, warehouses and government installations was reported in Nagekeo, along with traffic congestion and power outages.

Tsunami warning and aftershocks

Authorities issued a tsunami warning immediately after the quake, urging coastal residents to move to higher ground. The warning was lifted approximately three hours later after Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reported no significant sea-level changes. Tsunami waves under one meter were recorded in several areas. The main shock was followed by several aftershocks within 30 minutes, measuring 5.9, 5.6, and 6.1 on the Richter scale. The quake was felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of South Sulawesi, with residents reporting the shaking lasted about one minute.

Second earthquake and regional seismic activity

Hours after the Flores quake, a second earthquake struck North Sumatra. The USGS measured it at 6.9 magnitude, while the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) recorded 6.8. The epicenter was located near Pematangsiantar, 126 km from the city of Medan, at a depth of 158 km. Separately, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the northern coast of Papua New Guinea at a depth of 10 km, according to GFZ. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active seismic zone where various tectonic plates meet. The same area was hit by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 1992, causing extensive damage.