Magnitude 7.7 Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Indonesia's Flores Island Coast, Tsunami Warning Issued

A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, prompting a tsunami warning and a series of aftershocks that sent hundreds of people fleeing to safety.

The quake occurred at approximately 5:58 a.m. local time today (the 15th) off the northern coast of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, located in the Lesser Sunda Islands of eastern Indonesia.

The epicenter was located 162 kilometers northeast of Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara province, a tourist destination with a population of 188,000.

According to AFP, no casualties have been confirmed as of this morning, but hundreds of residents evacuated in the Nagekeo region of Flores Island, and some buildings suffered structural damage.

Videos circulating on social media showed residents screaming and evacuating into the streets of Maumere, a major city on Flores Island, while dust billowed from collapsed buildings.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning for parts of the region, including East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara provinces, forecasting potential waves of up to 3 meters.

Indonesia is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

In 2004, a massive 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Banda Aceh in northern Sumatra, triggering a devastating tsunami that claimed 170,000 lives.

(Photo: EPA, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.