August 15–23, 2026 | Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

A Devastating Earthquake Strikes Flores

On Saturday, August 15, 2026, at approximately 5:58 a.m. local time, a powerful magnitude 7.7 tectonic earthquake struck north of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of approximately 15 kilometers, with its epicenter in the sea around 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency. The earthquake was caused by movement along the Flores Back-Arc Thrust, a major active fault system in the region.

The earthquake generated extremely strong shaking across Flores and neighboring areas. A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the main earthquake and was later lifted after BMKG determined that there was no longer a significant dangerous rise in sea level. Waves were nevertheless observed in several coastal locations.

For many communities, the disaster was only the beginning.

Thousands of Aftershocks Continue

The M7.7 mainshock was followed by an exceptionally active aftershock sequence.

As of 23 August 2026 at 05:00 WIB, BMKG had recorded:

• 5,688 aftershocks
• Largest aftershock: Magnitude 6.2
• Smallest recorded aftershock: Magnitude 1.1
• 32 aftershocks above magnitude 5.0
• 130 aftershocks felt by residents

BMKG reported that aftershock activity was particularly intense during the first several days. The number of earthquakes in 24-hour periods was recorded at approximately 704 on the first day, 746 on the second day, followed by 668, 649 and 627 on subsequent days. Activity then increased again, reaching approximately 802 earthquakes on the sixth day.

This pattern shows why many survivors remain afraid to return to damaged houses. Even when the main earthquake has passed, damaged buildings can become more dangerous when struck by strong aftershocks.

BMKG has also warned that aftershock activity may continue for several weeks following the main earthquake.

A Growing Humanitarian Toll

By August 22–23, the disaster had developed into a major humanitarian emergency.

The latest reported BNPB figures show:

Impact	Latest reported figure
Deaths	87 people
Injured	1,298 people
Displaced / Evacuated	150,576 people
Damaged homes	53,971 houses
Severely damaged homes	19,006 houses
Moderately damaged homes	11,777 houses
Lightly damaged homes	23,188 houses
Aftershocks by Aug. 23	5,688

The housing figures are still considered provisional because BNPB continues to verify damage in the affected districts.

The damage is spread across several regencies, including Manggarai, East Manggarai, West Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende and Sikka.

Thousands of families have lost their homes or are unable to safely return home. Many survivors are staying in tents, temporary shelters, schools, open areas and other emergency locations.

People Lost Beneath Collapsed Buildings

The earthquake caused buildings, homes and public facilities to collapse in several communities.

In the immediate aftermath, search-and-rescue teams were deployed to collapsed buildings to search for survivors and recover victims.

Early reports documented multiple deaths caused by falling or collapsed structures. In Manggarai, an initial BPBD report recorded 15 deaths caused by people being buried beneath collapsed buildings during the first hours of the disaster. In West Manggarai, authorities also confirmed the death of a 70-year-old woman after she was struck by building debris.

At Laurensius Say Port in Maumere, Basarnas evacuated three people from a collapsed structure; one of them died while two others were injured.

These heartbreaking incidents represent only part of the human suffering caused by the earthquake. The final total of 87 deaths includes victims from different circumstances, and authorities have not published a complete final breakdown of all deaths by specific cause.

Search-and-rescue operations have involved Basarnas, BNPB, Indonesian military and police personnel, local emergency teams and volunteers.

Homes, Schools and Public Buildings Destroyed

The destruction extends far beyond private homes.

Thousands of buildings have been damaged, including houses, schools, health facilities, government buildings, places of worship and other public infrastructure.

By August 22, BNPB’s assessment recorded 53,971 damaged houses, including more than 19,000 classified as severely damaged.

The destruction has made everyday life extremely difficult. In some areas, roads and bridges were damaged or blocked by landslides, complicating the delivery of food, drinking water, medicine and other essential supplies.

The earthquake also caused significant damage in tourist areas and affected communities around Flores, including the wider Labuan Bajo region. While Labuan Bajo remains an important tourism gateway to Komodo National Park, the humanitarian situation in several other parts of Flores remains serious.

Flores Needs International Solidarity

Flores is known around the world for its natural beauty, Komodo National Park, traditional villages, beaches and welcoming communities.

Thousands of international visitors travel to Flores every year.

Behind the tourism destinations, however, are local families, farmers, fishermen, drivers, guides, small businesses, hotel workers and communities whose lives have been severely affected by this disaster.

Many families now need basic necessities:

• Food and drinking water
• Temporary shelter and tents
• Blankets and clothing
• Medicine and medical supplies
• Hygiene and sanitation supplies
• School supplies for children
• Assistance to repair or rebuild damaged homes
• Emergency support for families who have lost their livelihoods

For international visitors who have visited Flores, or anyone who has a connection with Indonesia, even a small contribution can help a family recover.

OPEN DONATION FOR FLORES EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Help Families Recover and Rebuild

Lako Travel Labuan Bajo is opening a voluntary donation initiative to help families affected by the Flores earthquake.

The donations are intended to support people and families in affected communities with urgent humanitarian needs and recovery assistance.

INTERNATIONAL DONATION / BANK TRANSFER

Bank: Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI)
Account Number: 466905578
Account Name: Ambrosius Juang
Country: Indonesia
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

For international transfers, the BNI international remittance system supports incoming transfers from overseas.

SWIFT / BIC: BNINIDJA

If your bank requires an 11-character SWIFT/BIC code, it may request BNINIDJAXXX. Please confirm the exact beneficiary details with your sending bank before completing an international transfer.

BNI advises that international transfers should use the correct standardized beneficiary information to avoid rejected, returned or delayed transactions.

IMPORTANT DONATION NOTE

This donation account is registered under the name Ambrosius Juang. The donation initiative is being coordinated by Lako Travel Labuan Bajo to support earthquake-affected communities.

Donors are encouraged to keep their transfer receipt for their own records.

We believe that transparency and accountability are essential. Updates regarding the distribution and use of donations should be communicated to donors as the humanitarian response progresses.

To Our International Guests and Friends

If you have ever visited Flores, sailed to Komodo National Park, climbed Padar Island, visited a traditional village, enjoyed the beaches, or simply experienced the kindness of the people of Flores, this is an opportunity to give something back.

The people of Flores welcomed travelers from around the world.

Now, Flores needs the world to stand beside its people.

Your donation may help provide food to a family, medicine to an injured person, shelter to someone who has lost their home, or hope to a community beginning the long process of rebuilding.

Every contribution matters.

STAND WITH FLORES

HELP FLORES RECOVER

SUPPORT EARTHQUAKE-AFFECTED FAMILIES

Donation Coordinator:
Lako Travel Labuan Bajo
Flores – Indonesia

Data in this article reflects publicly reported information available as of August 23, 2026. Disaster figures, casualty numbers and damage assessments may change as field verification and rescue operations continue.