JAKARTA: At least 47 people were killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake and dozens of aftershocks struck off eastern Indonesia on Saturday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said in its latest statement.
Rescue teams have yet to reach Nagekeo, the region closest to the epicentre, after landslides blocked roads and disrupted communications, officials said.
Earlier, rescuers in the port town of Maumere found 20 dead, six injured and two people trapped under rubble, said Fathur Rahman, head of the city’s rescue agency.
Maumere is the main town in Sikka Regency on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia. According to earlier media reports quoting officials, the death toll stood at 38 shortly after the quake struck just before 5am local time.
Suharyanto, head of the BNPB, said residents remained trapped in several buildings across the affected area, while there were reports of landslides blocking a number of roads. Attempts to reach the Nagekeo area by road were thwarted by landslides, while another team was trying to reach it by ferry, Rahman said.
About 2,000 residents in Nagekeo evacuated, and damage was reported to homes, warehouses and government buildings, the BNPB said. Authorities also reported power outages and traffic congestion in parts of the regency.
East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena told a press conference that at least five people were killed when buildings collapsed as they slept.
Preliminary BNPB data showed 157 homes were heavily damaged, 41 moderately damaged and 148 lightly damaged. Damage was also reported at 87 schools, 18 health facilities, five places of worship and six office buildings, along with other infrastructure.
Parts of a building collapsed into dust and rubble as people screamed and ran in the street, according to a Facebook video verified by Reuters as being filmed at a port in Maumere, where rescuers were searching for survivors beneath a partially collapsed building.
Strong shaking was felt across East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara and parts of South Sulawesi, the BNPB said, with residents in several areas reporting tremors lasting about a minute.
Tsunami waves of less than 1 metre (3 feet) were recorded in several areas of the Southeast Asian nation after the early-morning quake. Authorities lifted a tsunami warning about three hours later.
The Indonesian geophysics agency, BMKG, recorded the first quake at 4:58 a.m. at a depth of 15 kilometres, followed by several aftershocks.
Internationally, Pakistani leaders expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and widespread devastation.
President Asif Ali Zardari extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of the people of Pakistan.
In a post on X, shared by the President Secretariat Media Wing, Zardari expressed solidarity with the government and people of Indonesia, adding that Pakistan stands ready to extend all possible assistance. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed his condolences in a post on X.
“On behalf of the people and the government of Pakistan, I extend my heartfelt condolences to President Prabowo Subianto, the people of Indonesia and the bereaved families,” PM Shehbaz said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, and we pray for the swift recovery of the injured. Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with the brotherly people of Indonesia and wishes strength and resilience to all those facing this difficult time,” he added.
Indonesia straddles the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, a seismically active zone where tectonic plates meet, triggering frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2026