Indonesia, made up of around 17,500 islands, is the largest archipelagic country on the planet. It boasts dense tropical rainforest, glorious volcanoes and peaks, paradisiacal shorelines and a breadth of extraordinary wildlife, making it a long-popular travel destination for adventurous nature lovers.
However, the country is also nestled atop the Pacific Ring of Fire, the most active tectonic region in the world, and is highly prone to earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis.
A large earthquake struck Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province on Saturday, and with rescue efforts continuing, here’s a complete guide on everything you need to know if you have a trip to the country booked soon.
Where was the earthquake in Indonesia?
The earthquake, which registered at a 7.7 magnitude on the Richter scale, struck at 4.58am local time on Saturday August 15, at a depth of 15km in the Flores region.
According to the Guardian, at least 235 aftershocks were recorded, including one which had a magnitude of 6.1 off the coast of northern Sumatra. Tsunami waves of 1.5 metres were also recorded in some locations, but warnings for more waves have now been lifted.
Is it safe to travel to Indonesia?
Komodo International Airport on Flores remains open and operational, and flights to Bali and Jakarta are unaffected.
Flores is still experiencing aftershocks, which could continue, according to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency. Tragically, at least 68 people have been killed by the earthquake so far, with rescue efforts continuing to search for survivors. However, as the BBC reports, aid has been challenging to distribute.
Due to the destruction, it took emergency services several hours to reach Nagekeo, the area closest to the epicentre. In fact, the collapse of communication infrastructure meant various towns and villages were not reachable.
The port town of Maumere was also affected, with 20 fatalities recorded due to a landslide, and the Trans-Flores highway, a 700-km mountain road, was also cut off.
‘I have never felt an earthquake this big,’ said professor Yulian Juita Ekalia, who lives almost 100km from the epicentre. ‘It felt like we were on a trampoline, it was really scary.’
What’s the latest advice from the UK Government?
The UK government’s FDCO advice page for Indonesia reads: ‘On 15 August, a strong offshore earthquake struck north of Flores, causing fatalities, injuries, and damage to buildings and infrastructure in parts of Flores. Numerous aftershocks have been recorded and may continue in the coming days.
A tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake but has since been lifted. Local authorities have reported damage to roads, homes, and public facilities, with landslides and transport disruption affecting some areas.
If you are in Flores or planning to travel there, follow the advice of local authorities, remain alert to aftershocks, avoid damaged buildings and affected coastal areas, and monitor local media and official guidance. Travellers in Flores and neighbouring parts of East Nusa Tenggara should monitor local developments, as aftershocks and transport disruption may affect travel plans.’
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
Travelling to Indonesia has not explicitly been advised against as a blanket rule – instead, the Foreign Office advises on areas to avoid, so as to not invalidate your travel insurance, which includes but is not exclusive to places affected by the earthquake.
If you’d like to postpone your plans to travel to an unaffected area of Indonesia, you’ll have to check this is a possibility with your travel provider, but you won’t automatically be entitled to compensation if the choice to reschedule is yours.
When was the last earthquake in Indonesia?
The Boxing Day earthquake of 2004 struck off the coast of Indonesia with a staggering magnitude of 9.1. Across the Asia Pacific region, an estimated 220,000 people were killed by the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami.
There were also two earthquakes which triggered deadly tsunamis in 2018, and a 5.6 magnitude tremor in 2022.
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