Indonesia earthquake — A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Indonesia early on Saturday, August 15, 2026, killing at least 47 people and causing extensive damage, particularly on the island of Flores. The United States Geological Survey reported the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter located about 68 kilometers from the regional capital, Ende.

Footage from Maumere, a city on Flores, captured the moment buildings collapsed and crowds fled into the streets in panic. At the port, people rushed away from the pier as structures gradually gave way. In Maumere alone, at least 20 fatalities were confirmed. The tremor was followed by more than 200 aftershocks, including a significant 6.9-magnitude quake on the island of Sumatra hours later.

Authorities issued a tsunami warning after the initial quake, and waves under one meter high reached the Indonesian coast. The warning was lifted three hours later. In Sikka, patients from a local clinic were evacuated outdoors for safety. Landslides blocked many roads, hampering rescue efforts and leaving some areas, such as Nagekeo on Flores, difficult to access and communicate with.

Thousands of survivors from high-risk zones are now sheltering in makeshift camps, though space remains limited. Maria, a local resident, described how her family, including two infants, would have to sleep outdoors unless they could secure a tent. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors among the rubble, and the body of a young person was recovered in the debris.

The European Union has offered satellite support to assist Indonesian authorities in their rescue operations. Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is prone to frequent and severe seismic activity due to the convergence of multiple tectonic plates.