A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Saturday morning, resulting in at least two confirmed fatalities and prompting thousands to evacuate to higher ground amid a tsunami warning. The disaster response agency identified the victims as a man and a woman, and authorities are still verifying the total number of casualties and structural damage.
The quake originated offshore from Flores Island at approximately 4:58 a.m. local time, about 42 miles northwest of Ende, according to Indonesia’s earthquake agency (BMKG) and U.S. authorities. It was relatively shallow, occurring at a depth of around 9 miles, and was followed by multiple aftershocks, including a significant 6.1 magnitude tremor.
Residents in Nagekeo Regency, the area nearest the epicenter, hurried to higher ground after observing the sea withdraw — a potential sign of an impending tsunami. The tsunami warning was eventually lifted, with waves under three feet recorded in several coastal locations.
One local, 56-year-old Yohanes Babo, described the experience: “The shaking was intense. Luckily, we were already outside. There was panic everywhere — people running around, trying to get to the hills.” He added that his family was unharmed.
The tremor was strongly felt for about a minute across towns including Nagekeo and Bima. In Maumere, residents rushed into the streets as buildings shook violently. Lukas Lotar, a hospital customer service worker, recounted, “Suddenly the ground started shaking, and I panicked. Patients ran out of the hospital, and I saw some cracks in the walls.”
Footage from Ende district showed a hospital evacuating patients outdoors following the quake, while videos from Maumere depicted part of a building collapsing amidst dust and rubble as crowds fled. The Australian tsunami warning center confirmed there was no tsunami threat to Australia or its territories following the undersea quake.
Authorities continue assessing the extent of damage and reviewing casualties as aftershocks persist and residents remain on alert.
