At Least 38 Dead After Indonesia’s Magnitude-7.7 Earthquake

A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Indonesia early Saturday, killing at least 38 people and injuring more than a dozen others, according to national disaster officials. The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in decades, caused buildings to collapse, triggered landslides, and prompted a temporary tsunami warning.The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported 38 confirmed fatalities, two people seriously injured, and 11 with minor injuries as of the latest official update. Approximately 2,000 people evacuated to higher ground. Officials warned that the death toll is likely to rise as rescue teams reach more remote areas.Where and When It StruckThe earthquake hit shortly before 5:00 a.m. local time on Saturday (around 10:00 p.m. GMT Friday), with its epicenter located north of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, about 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of the city of Ende. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a shallow depth of approximately 10–15 kilometers.Indonesian officials described it as one of the largest temblors in the area in more than 30 years. A similar magnitude-7.5 quake in 1992 caused extensive damage in the same region.Dozens of aftershocks followed, including one measuring magnitude 6.1 or higher. Strong shaking was felt across Flores and neighboring areas.Impact and DamageThe worst-affected areas include the regencies of Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai. In the port town of Maumere, rescuers recovered multiple bodies from collapsed structures. Landslides buried homes and blocked roads, complicating access to some villages, particularly near the epicenter in Nagekeo.Preliminary reports indicated dozens of houses severely damaged, along with healthcare facilities, places of worship, government buildings, and schools. Power outages and communication disruptions hampered early response efforts in parts of the province.A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the quake, leading many coastal residents to flee to higher ground. Waves of less than one meter were recorded in several locations. Authorities later lifted the warning after monitoring showed no significant threat to coastal communities.Rescue and Response EffortsSearch-and-rescue teams are working through rubble and debris. Helicopters and vessels have been deployed to support logistics in the island region. Officials said some people may still be trapped in damaged buildings, and teams are prioritizing those locations.The mountainous and remote nature of parts of Flores has slowed assessments and aid delivery. Authorities continue to gather information from harder-to-reach areas.Broader ContextIndonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent seismic activity. The country has a long history of destructive earthquakes and tsunamis. While this event produced only minor tsunami waves, the combination of strong shaking, shallow depth, and vulnerable infrastructure led to significant local impact.Residents described intense shaking that lasted about a minute, with some comparing the sensation to being on a trampoline. Many people ran outdoors in panic as buildings swayed and cracks appeared.Looking AheadDisaster officials are monitoring aftershocks closely and coordinating relief efforts. The government is working to restore access, provide temporary shelter, and assess the full scale of damage. International offers of assistance have begun to emerge as the situation develops.The confirmed death toll of at least 38 reflects early reporting, and authorities have indicated that numbers may increase as more areas are reached and debris is cleared.Our thoughts are with the affected communities in East Nusa Tenggara as rescue and recovery operations continue.