A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Flores Island early Saturday, killing at least 38 people and toppling buildings across East Nusa Tenggara province. The quake hit at 5:58 a.m. local time, with its epicenter about 68 kilometers (42 miles) north-northwest of the city of Ende, according to the United States Geological Survey. It struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
Tsunami warning and evacuations
Authorities issued a tsunami warning after the quake and urged coastal residents to move inland or to higher ground. People evacuated to higher ground in East Manggarai, while hospital staff in several towns moved patients outdoors, carrying beds, IV stands and oxygen cylinders to set up temporary treatment areas.
Rescuers from the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) worked through the day to clear debris from damaged buildings in Maumere, the largest city in the affected area. Damage was also reported in Ruteng and other towns across the island.
One of the strongest quakes this year
The earthquake is among the strongest recorded worldwide so far in 2026. The USGS noted that 37 other earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater, including five of magnitude 7 or larger, have occurred within 250 kilometers of the epicenter since 1950. In 1992, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck nearby and, together with the tsunami it triggered, destroyed tens of thousands of homes and killed at least 2,500 people.
The region sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide and produce frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. A series of aftershocks followed Saturday's main quake, and officials warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue in remote areas.
Relief efforts under way
Local disaster agencies were assessing the damage and coordinating aid deliveries on Saturday. Footage on local television showed collapsed walls, cracked roads and damaged homes across the affected districts. Hospitals treated the injured in open-air areas as a precaution against further tremors.
The full extent of the damage is still unclear, with some affected villages reachable only by boat or along damaged roads. Authorities said they are prioritizing search and rescue in Maumere and surrounding districts before the arrival of expected rain.