How Strong the Earthquake Shaking Was in NTT
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Nagekeo Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Saturday (15/8/2026) at 04.58.24 WIB. The shaking was felt very strongly by residents in several areas and lasted about one minute.
Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre Berton SP Panjaitan said the epicentre was at sea at a depth of 15 kilometres, about 38 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency.
“The earthquake was felt strongly in several areas of NTT as far as South Sulawesi,” Berton said in a written statement in Jakarta on Saturday (15/8/2026).
In Nagekeo Regency, Berton said, the earthquake was felt very strongly for approximately one minute. Most residents felt the shaking and rushed out of their homes.
“The Nagekeo Regency BPBD is coordinating with relevant agencies following the tsunami early warning and carrying out evacuations of people in coastal areas,” he said.
Strong shaking was also felt by residents in Sikka Regency and West Manggarai Regency. Residents in both areas reported feeling the earthquake for about one minute, with some rushing out of their homes.
Similar conditions also occurred in Bima City, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), as well as several areas of South Sulawesi, including Jeneponto Regency, Selayar Islands Regency, and Maros Regency.
“Residents in several of these areas also felt the shaking and some rushed out of their homes,” Berton added.
Deputy for Geophysics at BMKG Nelly Florida Riama explained that the earthquake was a shallow quake originating from Flores Back-Arc Thrust activity. Updated parameter analysis showed the epicentre was at sea at coordinates 8.41 degrees south latitude and 121.39 degrees east longitude, or about 30 kilometres northeast of Nagekeo.
Nelly said the shaking impact was felt by residents at several levels of the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. MMI Scale V was felt in Ende City, Borong City, and Ruteng City, while MMI Scale VI was felt in Wolowae, Nagekeo Regency, and Bajawa City.
MMI Scale V is characterised by many people being awakened from sleep and shaking felt by almost the entire population. Meanwhile, MMI Scale VI can startle the entire population and make them run outside.
A joint team consisting of Basarnas, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the Indonesian National Police is still carrying out evacuations at the scene. BNPB together with the Sikka Regency BPBD are also continuing to coordinate to handle victims and ensure the condition of communities in affected areas.
Following the main earthquake, a number of aftershocks were recorded. A magnitude 6.2 aftershock occurred at 05.13.53 WIB, followed by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake at 05.28.40 WIB and a magnitude 5.6 at 05.37.19 WIB.
Several other aftershocks were also recorded, including magnitude 5.5. Based on preliminary information, these aftershocks did not have tsunami potential.
Nelly expressed concern over the impact of the earthquake while confirming that the tsunami early warning had ended. However, aftershocks are still occurring, so residents are urged to continue following information updates from BMKG.
“We hope residents remain calm, are not provoked by irresponsible rumours, and always update information from official BMKG channels,” Nelly continued.
Meanwhile, BNPB is still updating data on the earthquake’s impact, including fatalities, injuries, building damage, and other impacts. Data will be presented based on verification results from officers in the field.
BNPB urged residents, especially those in coastal areas, to remain calm and follow official directions from local governments and information from BMKG. Residents are also asked to stay away from buildings that have suffered damage or cracks due to the earthquake.