Heartbreaking Video Shows Mother and Child Found Dead in Embrace After NTT Earthquake

A video showing the heartbreaking moment a mother and child were found embracing each other after being crushed by building rubble following an earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has gone viral on social media.

The incident has become one of the tragic images of the impact of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that shook the NTT region on Saturday, 15 August 2026.

In the circulating video, the evacuation process of victims from behind building materials can be seen. One moment that captured public attention was the discovery of a mother and child in an embrace. Both were reported to have died after being crushed by the rubble.

The post was shared via the Instagram account @officialputrajaya94. In the caption, the account owner stated that the incident occurred during the evacuation process of residents who were victims of the earthquake.

“A moment of a mother embracing her child who was reported to have died during the evacuation process of residents following the earthquake disaster in NTT,” read the caption on the Instagram post @officialputrajaya94, quoted on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

The post was also accompanied by a message of condolence for the victims and families affected by the disaster.

“Our deepest condolences for the earthquake disaster that occurred in NTT and its surroundings. May the victims be given strength and fortitude in getting through this time. Aamiin,” it added.

A strong earthquake shook the northern region of Flores Island, NTT, on Saturday morning. According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake occurred at around 04:58 WIB or 05:58 WITA with a magnitude of 7.7.

BMKG stated that the earthquake was triggered by thrust fault activity. Strong tremors were felt in several areas of Flores, including Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai Regency and Ruteng in Manggarai Regency.

The impact of the earthquake was also visible on a number of buildings. One of them was Frans Sales Lega Airport, also known as Ruteng Airport, which was reported to have suffered damage. Ceiling panels of the airport building were seen falling due to the strong tremors.

Not only that, the earthquake tremors were also felt as far as Bima Regency and City in West Nusa Tenggara, as well as Selayar Islands Regency in South Sulawesi.

The death toll has reached 47 people.