Indonesia Jolted by 5.9 Magnitude Earthquake, Days After Devastating 7.7 Quake

Fresh 5.9 Magnitude Quake Jolts Flores After Deadly 7.7 Earthquake

Indonesia’s Flores region was struck by another earthquake on Monday, days after a powerful 7.7-magnitude tremor killed at least 53 people and left more than 130 injured across East Nusa Tenggara.

The latest earthquake, measured at magnitude 5.9 by Germany’s GFZ Research Centre for Geosciences, occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometres. No immediate reports of additional deaths or major damage were received.

The tremor came after Saturday’s devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, whose epicentre was located by the US Geological Survey around 68 kilometres northwest of Ende. The powerful quake triggered a tsunami warning, prompting coastal residents to move to higher ground. The alert was later lifted after no significant sea-level changes were detected.

Death Toll Climbs to 53

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said 47 bodies were recovered on Saturday, with six more found on Sunday. Most of the deaths were reported from Sikka, Manggarai and East Manggarai, taking the overall toll to 53.

More than 130 people were injured, while thousands of residents remained outdoors overnight because of fears of further tremors.

The disaster agency said the number of aftershocks following the main earthquake climbed to at least 995. Only 46 were strong enough to be felt, with the strongest measuring 6.2.

Thousands Displaced

The earthquake destroyed more than 900 homes and damaged around 450 others across East Nusa Tenggara. Nearly 5,000 people were moved into temporary shelters, while hundreds of homes in Flores were also affected.

More than 100 public facilities, including schools, health centres and churches, suffered damage or were destroyed.

Power outages and communication disruptions further complicated rescue operations. Landslides also blocked sections of the Trans-Flores highway in Ende regency, cutting access along parts of the key route between Labuan Bajo and Larantuka.

Rescue Efforts Face Major Challenges

Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as landslides have isolated remote villages across six regencies. Indonesia’s disaster management agency has deployed a helicopter to deliver emergency supplies and assist with evacuations where ground access remains difficult.

The island geography of East Nusa Tenggara has added to the challenges faced by rescue teams.

Residents described Saturday’s earthquake as exceptionally powerful. In Ruteng, more than 60 miles from the epicentre, university lecturer Yulian Juita Ekalia said household objects fell as she rushed outside.

Hospitals in affected areas also moved patients outdoors as a precaution, with medical teams setting up temporary treatment areas and relocating beds, oxygen cylinders and other equipment.

Indonesia’s Long History of Seismic Disasters

Indonesia is highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Flores experienced another major earthquake-triggered tsunami in 1992 that killed around 2,500 people. In 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake generated a devastating local tsunami and killed more than 4,400 people.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake off Sumatra, which measured 9.1, triggered a massive tsunami that killed around 230,000 people across multiple countries, with Indonesia’s Aceh province suffering the greatest losses.