A 7.7-magnitude quake struck off the coast of Flores early Saturday, killing at least 38 people and toppling buildings. The epicenter lay 10 km (6.2 mi) shallow, making the shaking especially destructive. Rescue officials, including Fathur Rahman, reported two people trapped alive under rubble. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a brief tsunami warning for parts of East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi, which was lifted after three hours.

The tremor caused widespread damage in Maumere, the main town of Sikka Regency. Buildings collapsed, power outages hampered rescue efforts, and hospitals evacuated patients. Residents fled to higher ground as aftershocks, including a 6.1 event, rattled the region. Local authorities, such as Rudi Darmoko and Wijayanto, noted communication disruptions while officials continued to assess casualties.

This event echoes Indonesia’s history of seismic activity on the Ring of Fire, where previous quakes have claimed thousands of lives. The disaster underscores the need for rapid emergency response and robust building codes in this tectonically active zone.

Guidelbertus Tanga, rector of Ritapiret Seminary, highlighted the panic as students and staff fled collapsing roofs, illustrating the quake’s immediate human impact.