M7.7 Earthquake Strikes East Nusa Tenggara; Injured Airlifted to Labuan Bajo

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, on August 15, 2026, damaging health facilities in East Manggarai district. On August 18, Indonesia's search and rescue agency (Basarnas) airlifted injured survivors by helicopter to Labuan Bajo, a major tourist gateway, for further medical treatment.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, Indonesia, on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Health facilities in areas such as Ronting in the Lamba Leda district of East Manggarai regency sustained damage, reducing local medical response capacity.

Three days later, on Tuesday, August 18, Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), together with joint personnel, evacuated injured victims by helicopter to Labuan Bajo, the main town in West Manggarai regency, for further medical treatment. Labuan Bajo is widely known as the gateway to Komodo National Park and is a popular destination for foreign tourists.

The local healthcare system remains affected by the earthquake, and further updates on the recovery of damaged medical facilities in the affected areas are expected.

Things to Consider

Travelers planning to visit Labuan Bajo or Komodo National Park should confirm with their travel agency or accommodation the current status of local medical facilities, transportation, and lodging before departure. Be aware of possible aftershocks and know the evacuation routes and emergency contacts at your accommodation. If injured or unwell, consult your insurance provider or embassy before travel, as hospital capacity in Labuan Bajo may be affected by the disaster response.