Jakarta, ThedailyID — A magnitude 6.0 aftershock struck Manggarai Regency on Indonesia’s Flores Island on Thursday (August 20), days after a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit the region.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) recorded the aftershock at 9:46 a.m. Western Indonesia Time, or 10:46 a.m. local time. Its epicenter was located 43 kilometers northeast of Ruteng, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The agency said the earthquake did not have tsunami potential.
One person reportedly died in Ruteng after panic triggered a cardiac episode during the shaking. The victim was identified as 56-year-old Servolus Jebarus, who reportedly had a history of heart disease.
According to his relative, Hiro, Jebarus collapsed after residents began screaming during the earthquake. He was taken to Ben Mboi Regional Hospital in Ruteng but could not be saved.
“We heard residents screaming when the first quake struck, and panic broke out inside the house. The victim then collapsed,” Hiro told CNNIndonesia.com on Thursday (Aug. 20).
The latest aftershock came as seismic activity continued following the main earthquake on August 15.
More than 3,400 aftershocks had been recorded in the area as of 6 a.m. Thursday, according to BMKG data cited by CNN Indonesia. Their magnitudes ranged from 1.0 to 6.2.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said the main earthquake had killed 72 people as of 9 a.m. Thursday. Another 900 people were injured, while 82,691 residents were displaced.
The disaster also damaged 29,001 houses, including 11,699 that suffered heavy damage. Hundreds of schools, health facilities, places of worship, offices, roads and bridges were also affected.
BNPB chief Suharyanto said aftershocks could continue for another two to three weeks, although they are expected to be weaker than the main earthquake.
“Do not panic, but remain alert,” Suharyanto said, citing BMKG assessments,Thursday (20/08/26).
East Nusa Tenggara has declared a 14-day emergency response period from August 15 to August 28.
