Story perspectives

7.7 Quake Kills at Least 47 in Flores

8/16/2026

Summary

Flores Quake Devastates

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck 68 km NNW of Ende, Flores, at 5:58 a.m. on August 15 2026, killing at least 47 people.
BMKG issued a tsunami warning that was later lifted after sea-level stations recorded waves up to 1.61 m in Manggarai.
BNPB chief Suharyanto reported 157 houses destroyed, 189 damaged, and 100 public facilities hit.
Police chief Rudi Darmoko said more than 2,000 people sought temporary shelter and dozens were injured.

Summary

Leaders Offer Aid

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wrote to President Prabowo Subianto on Aug 16, offering condolences and pledging Singapore’s support for Indonesia’s relief and recovery efforts.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his deepest condolences and urged Australians in the affected area to follow Indonesian authorities, noting no Australian casualties.
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen offered the bloc’s Copernicus Earth-observation satellites to assist search-and-rescue operations after the quake.

History

Historical Context

On 26 December 2004 a magnitude-9.2 undersea quake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed an estimated 227,898 people in 14 nations, exposing the Indian Ocean’s lack of warning systems. The disaster spurred the 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System and massive aid pledges. Today, Indonesia, Singapore’s Lawrence Wong, Australia’s Anthony Albanese and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen echo that coordinated response for the Flores quake.

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Flores Quake Devastates

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck 68 km NNW of Ende, Flores, at 5:58 a.m. on August 15 2026, killing at least 47 people.
BMKG issued a tsunami warning that was later lifted after sea-level stations recorded waves up to 1.61 m in Manggarai.
BNPB chief Suharyanto reported 157 houses destroyed, 189 damaged, and 100 public facilities hit.
Police chief Rudi Darmoko said more than 2,000 people sought temporary shelter and dozens were injured.

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