Nearly 1,000 aftershocks followed Indonesia earthquake that killed at least 53

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on August 16, 2026 at 5:58 a.m. local time, killing at least 53 people and setting off a cascade of seismic activity that has complicated rescue and recovery efforts across Flores Island.

The initial quake's epicenter was 42 miles north-northwest of the city of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to CBS News reporting. A second 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Sumatra Island shortly after, adding to the destruction. Nearly 1,000 aftershocks have been recorded in the region since the initial event, with only 46 felt by residents, per CBS News. The largest aftershock measured 6.2 magnitude.

At least 47 bodies were recovered Saturday immediately following the quakes, mostly in Sikka, Manggarai, and East Manggarai districts. Rescue teams recovered six additional bodies on Sunday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 53. More than 130 people were injured, according to CBS News reporting.

The earthquakes destroyed more than 900 homes and damaged 450 others in East Nusa Tenggara province, with at least 241 homes damaged in the Flores region alone. More than 100 public facilities, including schools, medical centers, and churches, were destroyed. Landslides in Ende regency severed the Trans-Flores highway, a roughly 435-mile paved mountain road spanning Flores Island, cutting off critical access routes. About 5,000 people have been forced into temporary shelters, per CBS News.

A tsunami warning was triggered immediately after the quake and forced coastal residents to move to higher ground, but it was later lifted after monitoring showed no significant sea-level changes. Power outages in cities and villages have hampered the flow of information and complicated search and rescue operations. The National Disaster Management Agency deployed a helicopter to assist with logistics and support emergency response.

Indonesia sits on the Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin, making it prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, according to CBS News reporting.