Antara News·Indonesia·Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 01:51 AM

Residents in Sikka urged to remain vigilant after 7.7M quake

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Yoseph Bataona, Uyu Liman

Kupang, NTT (ANTARA) - Sikka Regent Juventus Prima Yoris Kago asked all residents in the regency to remain calm and vigilant after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island area in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province on Saturday morning.

"All residents in Sikka Regency to remain calm, avoid panic, and prioritise the safety of themselves and their families," Kago said in an official statement.

According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the earthquake occurred on Saturday morning at 5:58 a.m. of Central Indonesian Time (WITA), triggering strong tremors across the region.

The epicenter was located at 8.35 degrees south latitude and 121.37 degrees east longitude. It struck approximately 36 kilometers (22.4 miles) northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo District, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

Kago specifically urged residents in coastal areas to remain on high alert for potential tsunamis in accordance with BMKG warnings, despite the relatively low risk.

He advised the public to temporarily steer clear of structurally compromised buildings, coastal areas, and riverbanks, as well as to evacuate to safer locations if necessary.

Residents have been instructed to follow official directives from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and local village administrations.

Furthermore, the public is encouraged to prepare emergency bags containing essential documents, medications, drinking water, food, flashlights, and other necessities.

The Sikka local government, alongside the BPBD, security forces, and volunteer groups, is actively monitoring the situation on the ground and coordinating continuously to ensure public safety.

Kago also reminded the residents not to spread unverified rumors and to rely solely on official updates from the BMKG, the BPBD, and local authorities.

He called on the community to remain calm, help one another, heighten their vigilance, and avoid being provoked by unreliable information or hoaxes.

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