Flores Aftershocks Top 9,700 as Labuan Bajo Tourism Normalizes

Labuan Bajo — Indonesia’s meteorology agency BMKG and the national disaster agency BNPB have reported more than 9,700 aftershocks following the 7.7‑magnitude earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, on 15 August 2026, while local officials say tourism activity in Labuan Bajo and West Manggarai has largely returned to normal.

According to a summary of Indonesian media reports compiled by Ground News, BMKG recorded 9,488 aftershocks in the Flores region as of Saturday, 29 August 2026, at 17:00 local time, with 154 of those tremors felt by residents. A separate technical overview of the sequence published by the seismic‑monitoring platform Tremr states that more than 9,700 aftershocks had been recorded by 30 August, and notes that 155 were felt.

Both figures refer to the same evolving aftershock sequence and differ because they were taken at slightly different reporting cut‑off times and use rounded totals.

Further updates from BMKG in mid‑September indicated that the sequence continued to grow. A national radio report citing BMKG data said the agency had recorded 13,863 aftershocks by 5:00 Jakarta time on 9 September, with magnitudes ranging from 0.9 to 6.2. Another national outlet reported BMKG’s figure of 15,722 aftershocks over the first 30 days after the mainshock, with residents feeling roughly 190 of them, and noted that daily and weekly aftershock numbers were trending downward by the fifth week.

These later counts show that the Flores sequence remained active into September, even as its intensity declined.

Tourism capacity begins to normalize

While the seismic sequence continued, tourism authorities reported that visitor flows to Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park were stabilizing. In its Southeast Asia Travel Industry Pulse, travel analyst Pear Anderson wrote that the 7.7‑magnitude earthquake damaged attractions, accommodation and access in Labuan Bajo and Flores, but that West Manggarai district has since resumed normal visitor capacity.

The same briefing said the Tourism Minister held a coordination meeting in Labuan Bajo on 28 August with the West Manggarai administration, tourism associations and industry representatives to shape recovery plans for the destination.

An article from Indonesian travel outlet Traveltext reported that the Tourism Ministry is working with local governments and the Labuan Bajo and Flores Tourism Authority to accelerate recovery across disaster‑affected destinations. The report said several sites were temporarily closed and that tourist attractions, accommodation, infrastructure and tourism villages in Labuan Bajo and the wider Flores region suffered damage.

It added that the West Manggarai Regency Government has reported tourism activities in Labuan Bajo have resumed and that the area is able to welcome visitors normally, with Komodo National Park and Padar Island reopened after temporary closures for safety.

Neither Pear Anderson’s briefing nor Traveltext’s report listed every individual attraction, hotel or transport route still undergoing repairs. Both emphasized, however, that normal visitor capacity in West Manggarai does not mean damage was absent, but rather that tourism flows — including boat departures and trips into the park — had recovered to levels local authorities consider stable. Travelers are advised in these reports to pay attention to safety protocols and to check with accommodation providers and tour operators for the latest local conditions.

Key reported figures

• Main earthquake: 7.7‑magnitude event offshore Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday, 15 August 2026.
• BMKG count: 9,488 aftershocks by 17:00 local time on Saturday, 29 August 2026; 154 were felt.
• Expanded BMKG sequence: 13,863 aftershocks by 9 September, and 15,722 in the first 30 days after the mainshock, roughly 190 felt.
• BNPB/BMKG‑aligned count: more than 9,700 aftershocks and 155 felt by residents by 30 August, as summarized by Tremr from Indonesian agency data.
• Tourism status: West Manggarai Regency reports tourism activities in Labuan Bajo have resumed normal capacity, with Komodo National Park and Padar Island reopened after temporary closures.

Sources

• Ground News summary of Indonesian media on BMKG aftershocks
• Wikipedia entry on 2026 Flores earthquake
• Pear Anderson – Indonesia Southeast Asia Travel Industry Pulse
• RRI English – BMKG Records 13,863 Aftershocks After Flores Earthquake
• Tremr – The 2026 Flores Earthquake: M7.7 Thrust Rupture Off Eastern Flores
• Tempo English – 15,722 Aftershocks Recorded in 30 Days After Flores Earthquake
• TechTimes – Flores Aftershock Strikes Homes Already 46% Below Collapse Safety Threshold
• The Watchers – Major M7.7 earthquake hits Flores region, Indonesia
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program – M 7.8 - 64 km NNW of Ende, Indonesia
• Traveltext – Ministry Accelerates Recovery of Disaster-Affected Destinations