An earthquake struck Indonesia's Flores region in East Nusa Tenggara in the early hours of Saturday morning, killing one person and injuring four, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning, which was subsequently lifted. Strong aftershocks followed the main tremor in the same area.
Earthquake strikes Indonesia's Flores region, killing one; tsunami warning lifted
An earthquake struck Indonesia's Flores region in East Nusa Tenggara in the early hours of Saturday morning, killing one person and injuring four, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning, which was subsequently lifted. Strong aftershocks followed the main tremor in the same area.
The two sources differ on the earthquake's reported magnitude and depth. According to the Jerusalem Post, citing the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake was ultimately classified as magnitude 7.7, having been revised multiple times — initially 7.5, then downgraded to 6.9, reclassified as 7.5, and finally upgraded to 7.7. The EMSC placed its depth at 35 km and its time at 5:58 a.m. local time. BBC News, citing Indonesia's agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, reported a depth of 15 km and said the quake struck shortly before 05:00 local time.
BNPB initially reported two fatalities but later revised that figure to one confirmed death and four injuries following ground verification. 'Following verification and validation by personnel on the ground, the data was revised to one confirmed fatality,' the agency said in a statement.
According to BBC News, a strong aftershock of magnitude 6.1 was felt in the same area. The Jerusalem Post, citing the EMSC, reported a separate subsequent earthquake at a depth of 10 km at 6:13 a.m. local time, initially classified as magnitude 6.3 before being revised to 5.5.
BNPB said it was prioritising public safety and preventing additional casualties from aftershocks and related hazards. The agency advised residents to remain calm, stay away from coastal areas, and avoid entering buildings that had sustained cracks or structural damage.
BBC News noted that a full assessment of the damage will take time given that the Flores region is remote and mountainous. BNPB said a rapid assessment was underway and that casualty and impact data would be released once verified.
Where sources differ
- Magnitude: BBC News does not specify the magnitude, while the Jerusalem Post (citing EMSC) places it at 7.7 after multiple revisions.
- Depth: BBC News (citing Indonesia's meteorological agency) reports a depth of 15 km; the Jerusalem Post (citing EMSC) reports 35 km.
- Time of the main quake: BBC News says shortly before 05:00 local time; the Jerusalem Post says 5:58 a.m. local time.
- Aftershock magnitude: BBC News reports a 6.1-magnitude aftershock; the Jerusalem Post (citing EMSC) reports a subsequent quake initially classified as 6.3, later revised to 5.5.
- The definitive, officially agreed magnitude of the main earthquake has not been established across sources.
- The extent of structural damage in the Flores region has not yet been assessed, as noted by BBC News due to the remote and mountainous terrain.
- The total number of people affected beyond the confirmed one fatality and four injuries is not yet known.
- It is not established whether the tsunami warning was issued by Indonesian authorities, the EMSC, or another body.
- No comment or response from local Flores regional authorities appears in any source.
- The cause or mechanism of the single confirmed fatality is not described in any source.
- BBC News — original — by Farida Susanty
- The Jerusalem Post — by AARON GLICK