Thousands await aid after deadly Indonesian quake

Rescuers work amid the rubble of a damaged building after an earthquake in Maumere, Indonesia. A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, killing dozens and sending thousands running in panic after authorities issued a tsunami warning. | Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency / via AFP-JIJI

AFP-JIJI

Aug 16, 2026

Ruteng, Indonesia – Help started arriving Sunday for thousands of evacuees on Indonesia’s Flores island after a powerful earthquake killed 48 people, injured dozens and damaged hundreds of houses and buildings.

Some 5,000 people fled their homes as the 7.7 magnitude quake hit the island early Saturday, followed by at least 341 aftershocks in the hours that followed, a spokesman for the BNPB national disaster agency, Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, said.

People in some areas were left without electricity and telecommunications and at least one emergency access road remained inaccessible.

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