Devastating Impact on Homes and Public Infrastructure

More than 300 houses were destroyed or damaged, with over 100 public facilities,including 87 educational, 18 health, six office, and five places of worship,also affected, BNPB reported. In Talibura, a village near the coastline in Sikka, residents like Arnold Welianto were jolted awake by the tremors. ‘I was startled awake and immediately went to my child’s room,’ he told the BBC.

In Maumere,the largest town in Flores—video footage showed large chunks of concrete breaking off from the terminal building at the port, with some passengers thrown into the sea when a ferry gangway collapsed. Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, the governor of East Nusa Tenggara, stated at a news conference that many people were killed in their sleep by collapsing rubble.

Evacuation and Tsunami Fears

The initial quake triggered a tsunami warning, prompting about 2,000 people in Nagekeo Regency on Flores island to self-evacuate as a precaution, as the warning was lifted around three hours after the first quake when no significant sea level rise was detected. In response to the receding sea, some villagers fled into the hills, fearing a tsunami.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued alerts advising people to stay away from beaches and evacuate — the epicenter of the first quake was located approximately 60 kilometers north-northwest of Ende, at a depth of about 10 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Rescue Efforts and Ongoing Risks

Emergency crews, including members of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, were conducting evacuations and assessing damage. Landslides blocked access to some villages, forcing rescue teams to work tirelessly to free those trapped under rubble. In Ruteng, a temporary medical tent was set up outside a hospital to treat earthquake victims.

BNPB continues to advise people to remain calm, avoid coastal areas, and steer clear of structures showing signs of damage. The agency also reported that at least six people were injured and two remain missing. The earthquakes occurred shortly before 5 a.m. local time and were strongly felt across East Nusa Tenggara.

Indonesia, located along the meeting point of three major tectonic plates, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. This latest series of quakes adds to the country’s history of seismic events, prompting ongoing vigilance and preparedness measures from local authorities.