5.9-magnitude quake hits Indonesia 12 hours after deadly 7.7 temblor

Indonesia’s Flores region was jolted by another strong earthquake early Monday (August 17), just 12 hours after a devastating 7.7-magnitude quake struck the same area, triggering fresh panic among residents and raising concerns over further aftershocks.

The latest quake, measured at magnitude 5.9, struck at around 6:46am (Bangladesh time), according to Germany’s GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences. The tremor originated at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres, with its preliminary epicentre located at 8.57 degrees south latitude and 121.55 degrees east longitude.

The latest shaking came after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Flores on Saturday, leaving a trail of casualties and destruction. Rescue teams have been searching for missing people and clearing debris from damaged areas, while landslides have cut off several roads, complicating access to affected communities.

The earlier quake damaged homes, schools, health facilities and other structures across parts of Flores. Thousands of residents have reportedly left their homes and moved to temporary shelters amid fears of further tremors. Power supplies and communications have also been disrupted in several areas, with rescue and relief operations continuing.

Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning following the major earthquake but later lifted it after determining that no significant sea-level changes were expected. Coastal communities, however, have been urged to remain vigilant because of the possibility of further seismic activity.

Indonesia is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where several tectonic plates meet and seismic activity and volcanic eruptions are frequent.

The succession of powerful tremors and aftershocks has heightened concern in Flores, as authorities continue to assess damage and monitor the situation while emergency teams work in affected areas.