Powerful 7.7 earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Flores region, killing at least 20
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Flores region on Saturday, causing deaths, injuries and widespread damage in eastern Indonesia. The quake hit early in the day and was felt in Maumere, where footage showed people running for safety as the ground shook. Part of the terminal building at Lorens Sae Port also collapsed during the tremor.
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Authorities said at least 20 people were killed and six others were injured. Two people remained missing after a landslide triggered by the earthquake, adding to the immediate emergency response. The quake was followed by several aftershocks, increasing concern among residents and rescue teams in the affected area.
Buildings and homes were damaged in the Flores region, according to the confirmed reports. A tsunami warning was issued for parts of eastern Indonesia after the quake, but it was later lifted when no significant changes in sea levels were detected. The sequence of events points to a fast-moving disaster with both seismic and secondary hazards.
The Flores region lies in one of Indonesia's most active earthquake zones, where tectonic movement regularly produces strong tremors. Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a broad belt of seismic and volcanic activity that makes the country especially vulnerable to earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis. In this case, the combination of a strong offshore quake, aftershocks and a landslide widened the impact beyond the initial shaking.
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The damage at Lorens Sae Port is significant because ports are critical for transport and supply routes in island regions. Disruption to buildings, homes and transport infrastructure can slow emergency access and complicate recovery efforts. The reported casualties also underline the human toll of major earthquakes in densely populated coastal and island communities.
What remains unclear is the full extent of the damage across the wider region and whether the number of dead or missing will change as assessments continue. It is also not yet clear how many people have been displaced or how badly local infrastructure has been affected beyond the port terminal and reported building damage. The immediate focus is likely to remain on search efforts, damage checks and monitoring for further aftershocks.
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