BNPB: Flores Records 13,156 Earthquakes Between 15 August and 7 September

Labuan Bajo — Indonesia’s disaster agency says seismic activity in Flores has started to ease nearly a month after a major earthquake on 15 August 2026, though thousands of aftershocks and ongoing displacement mean conditions are not yet back to normal.

BNPB chief Suharyanto reported that 13,156 earthquakes, including aftershocks, were recorded in the Flores region from 15 August through 7 September 2026 during a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto held by video conference on 7 September, according to several national media reports citing his briefing.

In the same briefing, Suharyanto said seismic activity showed a declining trend in the fourth week after the main shock, with 364 events recorded in that period and none significantly felt by residents. He cautioned, however, that normal seismic conditions were expected to take around one more month to return.

Seismic sequence and marine implications

The total of 13,156 recorded events illustrates the scale of the ongoing earthquake sequence in Flores but does not, on its own, define the risk to specific coastal settlements, harbours or vessels. Magnitude, depth, location and official hazard assessments from specialist agencies are required to interpret detailed tsunami and marine safety implications.

Media reports based on BNPB data describe a reduction in the frequency of aftershocks by the fourth week, not a complete end to seismic activity. As of 7 September, aftershocks were still occurring, and officials were treating the situation as a phase of gradual decline rather than a formal all-clear.

For coastal and marine operators, this distinction matters when planning departures, harbour access, passenger movements or work near damaged infrastructure. Decisions should be based on the latest official information from relevant agencies, including updated earthquake and tsunami guidance, rather than on the declining trend alone.

Humanitarian situation and logistics

BNPB data presented on 7 September 2026 recorded 48 deaths directly linked to the Flores earthquake disaster and 72,864 people still displaced as of that date. Earlier in the response, the number of displaced residents had reached about 179,037 when President Prabowo visited the affected area, before gradually falling as people with homes classified as lightly or moderately damaged began returning to repair their houses.

Reports citing BNPB state that the government is preparing temporary accommodation and “waiting houses” for residents whose homes are too badly damaged to be safely occupied. This has implications for coastal employers and transport providers in communities where workers, customers or suppliers may still be living in temporary shelters.

BNPB also reported that 2,142 tonnes of relief supplies had been delivered to Flores by 7 September 2026. Of that total, about 1,368 tonnes moved through Labuan Bajo to support Manggarai Barat, Manggarai, Manggarai Timur and Ngada, while roughly 629 tonnes entered through Maumere for Sikka, Ende and Nagekeo.

According to coverage of BNPB’s briefing to the president, the national logistics post at Halim in Jakarta was closed after most supplies had been transferred to Flores, with further assistance to continue on the basis of requests and reports from local governments and district or city command posts.

Key reported figures as of 7 September 2026

• 13,156 earthquakes recorded in Flores from 15 August to 7 September 2026.
• 364 events recorded in the fourth week, none significantly felt by residents.
• 48 deaths directly attributed to the earthquake disaster.
• 72,864 people still displaced on 7 September 2026.
• 2,142 tonnes of relief supplies sent to Flores.
• Relief logistics routed primarily through Labuan Bajo (around 1,368 tonnes) and Maumere (around 629 tonnes).

Sources

• CNBC Indonesia
• NU Online
• RRI Nasional
• TVRI News
• Media Indonesia
• Tirto.id
• Samudra Fakta
• Tribun Flores
• InfoPublik