Indonesia Hit By Another Powerful Earthquake Hours After 40 Killed In 6.5-Magnitude Quake

Last Updated:August 15, 2026, 17:39 IST

Another 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Saturday, hours after a powerful 7.7-magnitude quake in the country killed at least 38 people and injured 13 others.

A powerful earthquake struck Indonesia on early Thursday. (AFP)

A 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake was recorded at 4:24 pm IST on August 15, the NCS said in a post on X.

The quake occurred at a depth of 165 km, placing it well below the Earth’s surface. The NCS identified the location of the earthquake as Indonesia.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage following the earthquake.

The latest tremor comes on the same day that Indonesia is dealing with the aftermath of a much more destructive 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the Flores region earlier on Saturday.

38 Killed In Earlier Indonesia Earthquake

At least 38 people were killed and 13 injured after the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Nagekeo district in East Nusa Tenggara, according to Indonesia’s disaster management agency. Two of the injured were in serious condition, while 11 suffered minor injuries. Around 2,000 residents evacuated the affected areas.

The quake caused buildings to collapse and triggered landslides, with some roads cut off and rescue operations affected by communication and access problems. A tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake but was later lifted after authorities found no significant continuing threat.

Rescue teams have been working to reach areas close to the epicentre, while authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage. Several aftershocks were also reported following the main quake.

The two earthquakes reported on Saturday are not the same event. The deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Flores in eastern Indonesia, while the 6.5-magnitude earthquake reported by India’s NCS was recorded at a much greater depth and at a different location.

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Anushka Vats

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can …Read More

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