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20 Dead, Six Injured After Flores Island 7.7 Quake

8/15/2026

38 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores Island, Indonesia on August 15, 2026, killing two people.
BMKG issued a tsunami warning that was lifted after three hours, with waves under one metre.
Rescue chief Fathur Rahman reported 20 dead, six injured and two trapped.
BNPB later confirmed one death and four injuries.
USGS recorded aftershocks of magnitude 6.1, 5.9 and 5.6 as Australia’s tsunami centre said there was no threat to its territories.

History

Historical Context

The Dec 26 2004 Sumatra-Andaman quake, magnitude 9.1, killed about 230,000 people and left 1.7 million displaced, prompting Indonesia and the 2005 Indian Ocean tsunami warning system. When a magnitude 7.7 quake struck off Flores on 15 Aug 2026, BMKG issued a tsunami alert and USGS recorded aftershocks of 6.1, 5.9 and 5.6, promptly leading to a brief evacuation.

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Story summary

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores Island, Indonesia on August 15, 2026, killing two people.
BMKG issued a tsunami warning that was lifted after three hours, with waves under one metre.
Rescue chief Fathur Rahman reported 20 dead, six injured and two trapped.
BNPB later confirmed one death and four injuries.
USGS recorded aftershocks of magnitude 6.1, 5.9 and 5.6 as Australia’s tsunami centre said there was no threat to its territories.

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