Overview
- A shallow magnitude-7.7 offshore quake struck near northern Flores early Saturday, producing strong shaking across the island and immediate mass evacuations to higher ground.
- Multiple strong aftershocks followed, including tremors around magnitude 6.1, keeping damaged structures unstable and hampering rescue work.
- Tsunami warnings for parts of eastern and southern Indonesia were issued then later withdrawn after tide gauges showed no major sea-level change, while officials urged people not to return to unsafe buildings.
- Official casualty and damage counts remain inconsistent: BNPB confirmed two deaths at Maumere port, local police gave a preliminary toll up to five, and search and damage assessments are ongoing as communication and power outages slow reporting.
- Flores lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and the quake’s shallow depth raises risk to local unreinforced buildings; expect more aftershocks, continued structural inspections, and humanitarian needs for displaced residents in the coming days.