Minor earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia, damages homes and injures residents

A TREMOR struck at a depth of 10.4 kilometres, approximately 104 kilometres east of Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Local authorities said the small island of Adonara experienced the brunt of the quake, with two villages reporting over 100 houses damaged and at least 20 people injured.

 Local official Ismail Daton Ban confirmed the extent of the destruction and injuries.

Indonesia lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area of frequent seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, which exposes the region to regular earthquakes.

Shallow quakes, such as this one, tend to cause more damage because seismic waves travel a shorter distance underground, striking the surface with greater energy.

The country’s history of devastating seismic events includes the 2004 quake in Aceh province, which measured 9.1 in magnitude and triggered a tsunami that killed more than 170,000 people in Indonesia.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow safety precautions following the latest tremor. - April 9, 2026