Maluku Governor expresses condolences for NTT earthquake victims
Ambon (ANTARA) - Maluku Governor Hendrik Lewerissa has conveyed his condolences and deep concern for the victims of the earthquake that shook the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region on 15 August 2026.
“On behalf of the Maluku Provincial Government, we extend our condolences and mourn the victims of the earthquake that occurred in East Nusa Tenggara,” said Lewerissa after leading the 81st Anniversary of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence ceremony in Ambon on Monday.
He prayed that the families of the victims and the people of NTT affected by the disaster would be given strength and fortitude in facing the tragedy.
Lewerissa believes the people of NTT have the resilience to face the impact of the disaster and rise through this difficult period.
“We believe the people of NTT are resilient people, a people of fighters. They will surely be able to get through this situation well. Our prayers are with the victims and all the people of East Nusa Tenggara,” he said.
A tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 shook the Flores region of NTT on Saturday (15/8) at around 04.58 WIB or 05.58 WITA.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that the shallow earthquake, with a depth of 15 kilometres, was triggered by activity of the Flores Back-Arc Thrust, a thrust fault that caused strong shaking and had the potential to trigger a tsunami.
BMKG subsequently ended the tsunami early warning at 07.30 WIB after no longer detecting a significant rise in sea level that would endanger communities along the affected coastlines.
Nevertheless, BMKG monitoring stations recorded tsunami waves arriving in several coastal areas. The highest wave was recorded in Maurole, Ende Regency, with a height of 0.94 metres at 05.27 WIB.
Tsunami waves were also recorded in Sikka at 0.20 metres, Kewapante Port in Sikka at 0.38 metres, East Flores at 0.25 metres, Labuan Bajo at 0.36 metres, Dompu at 0.17 metres, Bakalang in Alor at 0.14 metres, Baubau at 0.30 metres, Bulukumba at 0.54 metres, and Kolaka at 0.23 metres.
The earthquake shaking was felt by communities with varying intensities. BMKG recorded intensity V MMI, which can wake many people from sleep and is felt by almost the entire population, in Ende City, Borong, and Ruteng.
In relation to this, Lewerissa expressed hope that all communities affected by the disaster would receive protection and ease in the post-disaster handling and recovery process.
According to him, the tragedy in NTT also serves as a momentum to strengthen solidarity and care between regions in facing disasters.
“May all affected communities be given strength and protection, and may the recovery process proceed smoothly,” he said.