Flores Earthquake Update: 71 Fatalities, 59,647 Displaced
The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the Flores Sea off East Nusa Tenggara has risen to 71, while tens of thousands of residents remain displaced due to damaged homes and fears of aftershocks.
Acting Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s Data, Information and Communication Centre, Berto Panjaitan, said the number of fatalities increased by one to 71, with the additional victim recorded in Nagekeo Regency. “We would like to report that the number of victims has increased by one to 71, in Nagekeo Regency. The government and all relevant ministries and agencies together express our deepest condolences,” Berto said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.
The main earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.7, occurred on Saturday, 15 August 2026. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said the quake was centred at sea, approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Nagekeo, at a depth of 15 kilometres. Seismic activity has continued following the main quake. As of 14.00 Western Indonesia Time on Wednesday, the agency had recorded 3,002 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 1.1 to 6.2. A total of 86 aftershocks were felt by residents, including 25 events with a magnitude of 5 or greater.
The ongoing aftershock activity has led some residents to remain in evacuation sites rather than return home. In addition to building damage, residents remain concerned about the potential for further aftershocks. The disaster agency recorded that the number of displaced people currently stands at 59,647. Manggarai Regency has the highest number of evacuees, reaching 20,334 people.
“Handling evacuees is currently one of our main priorities because some residents have chosen not to return home, mainly due to damaged building conditions and concerns about aftershocks,” Berto said.
The government has assured that the basic needs of evacuees continue to be met. These needs include food and clean water, tents or temporary shelter, mattresses and blankets, health services, sanitation and hygiene, as well as the needs of vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
However, aid distribution faces a number of challenges. Evacuees are not all located in one centralised site. Some residents have chosen to stay near their own homes to safeguard their property and livestock.
“Handling evacuees is not only carried out in one centralised location because many residents are spread across several points, especially near their own homes due to security concerns over property and livestock they keep,” Berto said.
Amid the emergency response, the government has urged the public not to readily believe information from unclear sources. The disaster agency reminded that the spread of hoaxes following a disaster can trigger panic, disrupt evacuee handling and hamper aid distribution.
“We have received various pieces of information circulating on social media regarding the post-disaster conditions in East Nusa Tenggara. The agency urges the public not to immediately believe and disseminate information whose source is unclear,” Berto said.