Flores Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 47 as Rescue Operations Continue
Governments warn of aftershocks and structural instability as aid packages arrive in the hardest-hit districts.
Rescue teams in Indonesia are conducting intensive search and rescue operations following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the island of Flores on Saturday. The seismic event, which occurred shortly before 05:00 local time at a depth of 15km, has resulted in at least 47 confirmed fatalities and severe damage to hundreds of structures across the region.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that preliminary assessments indicate widespread destruction, with more than 150 houses severely damaged alongside dozens of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and public buildings. The Manggarai province was among the hardest hit, recording 24 deaths, while East Manggarai province accounted for 17 fatalities. Additional casualties were reported in Sikka, Ngada, Ende, and West Manggarai provinces.
Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena of East Nusa Tenggara province stated that many victims were killed by collapsing rubble while sleeping. In response to the disaster, authorities have distributed 10,500 aid packages to base operations, with further supplies en route. A temporary medical tent was established outside a hospital in Ruteng to treat the injured, as officials work to manage the influx of patients.
A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the initial tremor, prompting approximately 2,000 people to self-evacuate to higher ground. The warning was lifted three hours later after monitoring showed no significant sea level rise. However, the BNPB continues to advise residents to remain calm and avoid coastal areas and damaged structures, citing the risk of further aftershocks and landslides that have blocked access to some villages.
The full scale of the disaster remains difficult to assess due to the remote and mountainous terrain of the region. The tremors were felt as far west as Bima Regency, and a second earthquake of magnitude 6.9 occurred late on Saturday in western Sumatra, underscoring the seismic volatility of the area. Indonesia, situated on the Ring of Fire at the convergence of three major tectonic plates, remains highly prone to such geological events.
