Cracked Classrooms at SDK Kokang After M7.7 Flores Quake Spur Safety Fears

Larantuka — A two-classroom block at SDK Kokang in Ojandetung village, Wulanggitang district, East Flores has developed significant wall cracks following the 15 August 2026 Flores earthquake, prompting concern among school staff and local authorities, according to local media reports.

The building is used for **Grade 1 and Grade 6** classes and now shows cracks running from the lower wall area up toward the upper beam, the school’s principal Yohanes Wato Ipir told Flores Pos.

Ipir said the damage was first noticed when teachers and pupils returned to the school about an hour after the main earthquake shook Flores on Saturday, 15 August. The quake, with a magnitude of **7.7**, struck offshore Flores at 04:58 WIB and generated a tsunami in surrounding areas, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Damage and official response

According to Flores Pos, cracks are visible in several parts of the SDK Kokang building, including walls that connect down toward the foundation and up to the upper beam. The principal and village officials have expressed worry that the structure could fail if strong aftershocks or other earth movements occur.

Ipir said the condition of the building worsened after a loud eruption and boom from Mount Lewotobi on Thursday, 27 August 2026. The Geological Agency reported that Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted that morning at around 08:30 WITA, sending a thick grey ash column about 2,500 metres above the summit and producing a recorded boom on monitoring instruments.

Flores Pos reported that on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, Ipir, village officials and a representative of the village consultative body took a written damage report to the East Flores Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and also met the chair of the East Flores Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

On Wednesday, 2 September 2026, the head of the East Flores Education, Youth and Sports Office, Felix Suban Hoda, acknowledged seeing serious cracks at SDK Kokang and said his office would continue coordinating with the Disaster-Safe Education Unit (SPAB) regarding follow-up. Hoda said his office had asked principals and supervisors across East Flores to report any damage to education facilities after the 15 August quake.

According to Hoda, information received at that time indicated no significant earthquake damage at other schools in the district, making SDK Kokang a particular concern. He said the Kokang case had been forwarded for further handling, including coordination with SPAB.

Flores earthquake and Lewotobi activity

BMKG reports that the **M7.7** earthquake on 15 August 2026 off Flores triggered thousands of aftershocks and caused damage across several districts in East Nusa Tenggara, with impacts ranging from minor to severe structural failure. The agency has warned residents to remain cautious around buildings that show signs of cracking or other structural damage.

The Lewotobi eruption on 27 August occurred amid ongoing recovery from the earthquake sequence. Earlier eruptions of Lewotobi Laki-laki in 2024 damaged houses and public facilities, including schools, in parts of Wulanggitang and neighbouring subdistricts, according to government and media reports.

Reported figures and dates

• Earthquake: Magnitude 7.7, Saturday, 15 August 2026, off Flores, NTT.
• Reported location: SDK Kokang, Ojandetung village, Wulanggitang district, East Flores.
• Affected facility: One two-classroom building used by Grade 1 and Grade 6.
• Damage reported: Wall cracks extending from lower wall sections toward the upper beam.
• Follow-up reported: Damage report submitted to BPBD and meeting with the East Flores DPRD chair on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.
• Official visit: Education Office head Felix Suban Hoda inspected the school and acknowledged cracks on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.

Unresolved safety status

Flores Pos reports that as of early September 2026, local education officials had identified the damage at SDK Kokang and passed the information to disaster and safe-education units, but had not publicly detailed any structural engineering assessment or specific safety orders for the affected classrooms.

Parents and teachers quoted in local coverage say they are worried about the risk of further shaking and the combined impact of earthquake aftershocks and Lewotobi’s activity on the already cracked building. They are urging authorities to ensure that pupils and staff are protected while longer-term decisions on repair or replacement are made.

Sources

• BMKG
• CNBC Indonesia
• Wikipedia Bahasa Indonesia – Gempa bumi Flores 2026
• Flores Pos