INDOPOSCO.ID – The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday (Aug. 15, 2026) has continued to rise. Acting Head of the Data and Information Center at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Berton SP Panjaitan, said at least 14 people had died, two sustained serious injuries, and 11 others suffered minor injuries.
He said the data, updated as of 12:30 p.m. local time (WIB), remained provisional as assessment, verification, and validation efforts were still underway in the field.
“The highest number of fatalities was recorded in Manggarai Regency, with six deaths. Meanwhile, East Manggarai Regency reported five fatalities, while Sikka Regency recorded three,” Berton said in a statement Saturday (Aug. 15, 2026).
In addition to causing fatalities, the earthquake forced around 2,000 residents to evacuate or seek shelter independently, he said. At least five families were also directly affected by the disaster.
“Building damage was also quite severe. BNPB recorded 54 houses with major damage, nine with moderate damage, and 11 with minor damage,” he said.
Several public facilities were also affected, including five health facilities, one educational facility, one Bulog warehouse, three places of worship, and six government offices.
“Manggarai Regency was the hardest-hit area in terms of damage. A total of 29 houses suffered major damage, nine sustained moderate damage, and nine sustained minor damage. Five health facilities and one school in the area were also damaged,” Berton said.
In East Manggarai Regency, 23 houses were reported to have suffered major damage. In Nagekeo Regency, meanwhile, two houses sustained major damage, one moderate damage, and two minor damage.
“Conditions in Nagekeo had not fully returned to normal as of midday. Traffic congestion was reported, while the electricity supply remained disrupted,” he said.
The earthquake, which was centered offshore, struck at coordinates 8.41 degrees south latitude and 121.39 degrees east longitude at a depth of 15 kilometers. The epicenter was located approximately 38 kilometers northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency.
Strong shaking was felt for about one minute in Nagekeo, Sikka, West Manggarai, and Bima City. Tremors were also felt in several parts of South Sulawesi, including Jeneponto, the Selayar Islands, and Maros.
The earthquake initially triggered a tsunami early warning. Residents in coastal areas were immediately urged to evacuate to safer locations.
However, after monitoring sea levels, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) said no dangerous rise in sea level had been detected. The tsunami warning was subsequently lifted at 7:31 a.m. local time (WIB).
Following the main earthquake, at least four aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 5.5 to 6.2 were also recorded. BMKG confirmed that none of the aftershocks had the potential to generate a tsunami.(nas)
