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A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit off Flores island, eastern Indonesia. USGS reported the quake, followed by aftershocks. BMKG warned of possible tsunami waves.
(Representative image)
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores Island in the east early Saturday, prompting a warning over the possibility of tsunami waves, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake struck off the island’s northern coast at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres. Its epicentre was located around 68 kilometres (42 miles) northwest of Ende, the USGS said.
Two strong aftershocks, measuring 5.6 and 5.9, followed the main earthquake in the same area.
Tsunami Warning Issued
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned that the earthquake could generate tsunami waves. Authorities were monitoring the situation as the country remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes because of its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
The region is home to frequent seismic activity, with Indonesia and neighbouring countries sitting along a vast arc where several tectonic plates meet.
The earthquake comes days after a powerful 7.4-magnitude quake struck Colombia, killing at least 287 people and injuring more than 3,900, according to officials.
The Colombian earthquake struck shortly after 7:30 am on Monday, bringing down apartment buildings and damaging homes, schools and hospitals across western parts of the country.
The strongest earthquake to hit Colombia this century devastated cities including Cali and Pereira and destroyed nearly 13,000 homes across the coffee-growing region and along the coast.
(With inputs from agencies)
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August 15, 2026, 04:55 IST
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