The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the statement through the Emirates News Agency on Saturday, expressing the UAE’s full solidarity with the Republic of Indonesia following the earthquake that caused deaths, injuries and significant property damage. According to the ministry, officials extended sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims as well as to the Indonesian government and people. The statement also wished a speedy recovery to all those injured in the disaster that unfolded early on August 15. The ministry emphasised the UAE’s support for Indonesia during this difficult time.
A statement distributed by WAM detailed the UAE’s position as one of support for the affected communities in eastern Indonesia. The announcement came hours after the seismic event, aligning with the country’s practice of issuing similar messages of solidarity after natural disasters in allied nations. In the text, the ministry highlighted shared values and a commitment to humanitarian principles that underpin bilateral ties between the two countries. The release stopped short of announcing specific aid measures but left open the possibility of further coordination.
The US Geological Survey measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.7 and placed its epicentre about 68 kilometres northwest of Ende at a shallow depth of roughly 10 kilometres, with the main shock hitting at 5:58 a.m. local time. Indonesian authorities issued tsunami alerts for coastal areas in the vicinity, instructing residents to move inland and away from beaches and riverbanks as a precautionary measure. Several aftershocks followed the initial quake, according to local disaster management officials who continue to monitor seismic activity in the region. The National Disaster Management Agency has deployed teams to assess impacts on infrastructure.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported at least two immediate fatalities, identifying the victims as a man and a woman, while noting that searches were ongoing for any additional casualties amid reports of damaged homes and public facilities. Data from the agency indicate that the tremor affected multiple villages on Flores Island, where initial surveys showed collapsed structures and disrupted roads. The agency’s spokesman provided regular updates to media outlets as emergency response efforts intensified throughout the day on August 15. Full damage assessments were still in progress late Saturday.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has previously documented Indonesia’s position along the Pacific Ring of Fire as a primary driver of its high seismic exposure, with the country recording thousands of earthquakes annually. Historical accounts from the UN and Indonesian government sources place the death toll from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami at more than 170,000 in Indonesia alone, an event that prompted widespread international relief including contributions from the UAE. Bilateral disaster cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Jakarta has included humanitarian shipments and technical support in subsequent years, according to records from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The latest earthquake underscores the persistent challenges faced by Indonesian authorities in disaster preparedness and response.
