Magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Indonesia's Flores region triggers tsunami warning as evacuations continue
A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia near Flores early on Saturday, prompting a tsunami warning and evacuations to higher ground. The shallow quake hit at 5:58am local time and was centred in waters about 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. Residents in Maumere and nearby areas were reported moving away from the coast as officials monitored the risk.
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The US Geological Survey said the earthquake had a depth of 10 kilometres, making it a shallow offshore event with the potential to displace seawater. Indonesia's meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency issued a tsunami warning for East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara, and urged people to stay away from beaches and riverbanks. The agency said modelling indicated possible waves of 0.5 to 3 metres, while tsunami waves of 19 to 30 centimetres were detected.
The initial quake was followed by two aftershocks, including a magnitude 6.1 event, adding to concern in the affected area. Reports from the scene said hundreds of people evacuated in Nagekeo regency, and television images showed damaged buildings. A hospital worker in the area said patients also fled as the shaking intensified, and some walls were cracked.
The warning matters because Indonesia is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Offshore quakes in the archipelago can quickly become a public-safety issue because of the country's many coastal communities and island settlements. The Flores region, in particular, has long been vulnerable to seismic activity, making rapid alerts and evacuation orders central to the response.
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The event also highlights the role of early monitoring in the first minutes after a major quake. BMKG's warning was based on tsunami modelling, while the US Geological Survey provided the initial magnitude and depth assessment. Australia's tsunami warning centre said the earthquake posed no threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories, narrowing the wider regional concern.
What remains unclear is whether the warning will lead to any larger coastal impacts or whether further aftershocks will change the assessment. Authorities have not reported casualties so far, but monitoring is continuing as residents remain on alert. The next developments to watch are any changes to the tsunami warning, additional seismic activity and whether local officials allow people to return from higher ground.
A powerful offshore earthquake has struck near Indonesia's Flores region, prompting an early tsunami warning from Indonesia's geophysics agency. The quake was reported on Saturday morning and was followed by several aftershocks. Officials said the event was centred in waters off the coast and was strong enough to trigger immediate regional monitoring.
The earthquake was reported as magnitude 7.8, after an initial reading of 6.9. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said the quake occurred at a depth of 35 kilometres, while Geoscience Australia also reported the stronger magnitude. Indonesia's BMKG issued an early tsunami warning for some regions in the country, indicating concern about possible coastal impacts.
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The warning came as authorities assessed the scale of the undersea quake and its aftershocks. Australia's tsunami warning centre said the event posed no tsunami threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories. That assessment narrowed the immediate regional risk, but the Indonesian warning remained in place for affected areas at the time of reporting.
Indonesia sits on one of the world's most active seismic zones, where offshore earthquakes can quickly raise concern about tsunami risk. The Flores region lies within an area that has experienced destructive seismic activity in the past, making rapid warning systems an important part of the response. In this case, the speed of the magnitude upgrade and the early warning underline how quickly official assessments can change after a major quake.
The incident also highlights the role of multiple monitoring agencies in the first minutes after a large earthquake. BMKG, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre and Geoscience Australia all contributed to the early picture of the event. Their reports helped clarify the quake's strength, depth and likely regional impact, even as aftershocks continued.
What remains unclear is whether the tsunami warning will lead to any coastal impacts or whether further aftershocks will alter the assessment. Officials are expected to continue monitoring sea levels and seismic activity in the coming hours. The key question now is how far the warning extends and whether local authorities will need to take additional protective measures.
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