Indonesia Hit by Third Earthquake in Hours as 6.0-Magnitude Quake Strikes Gulf of Tomini

Indonesia was hit by another earthquake on Saturday night, marking the third significant tremor to strike the country within hours as authorities continued rescue and relief operations following a deadly earlier quake.

According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the Gulf of Tomini at 9:55 pm IST. The tremor occurred at a depth of 68 kilometres, with its epicentre located at 0.174°N latitude and 120.312°E longitude.

The latest quake came hours after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Indonesia on Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake had struck the country, killing at least 38 people and triggering a tsunami warning, according to CBS News.

Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency chief Suharyanto said 38 people had been confirmed dead, while two people suffered serious injuries and 11 sustained minor injuries. Around 2,000 people reportedly evacuated their homes on their own.

The earlier earthquake struck the Flores region at around 5:58 am local time, according to the US Geological Survey. Its epicentre was located about 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende in East Nusa Tenggara province. Several aftershocks were reported following the main tremor.

Rescue teams continued searching for two villagers believed to be trapped beneath mud after a landslide triggered by the earthquake. Officials also reported severe structural damage and collapsed buildings in parts of East Nusa Tenggara.

Power outages disrupted communications in several cities and villages, making rescue operations more difficult. Authorities deployed a helicopter to support emergency response efforts, including logistics and potential evacuations, with aerial assistance considered important because the province comprises numerous islands.

Meanwhile, around 2,000 villagers in Nagekeo regency were reported to have fled their homes and moved to temporary shelters amid continuing concerns over further tremors and aftershocks.