NTT Tourism Destinations Close After Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake
- 20 Agt 2026 08:24 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Several tourist destinations in NTT--including Wae Rebo, Ruteng Pu'u, Kelimutu National Park, and Teluk Maumere--remain temporarily closed following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake.
- Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park have resumed operations, while authorities urge travelers to check official updates and prioritize safety before visiting Flores.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Several prominent tourist destinations across East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) remain temporarily closed following a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the province on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
According to the Tourism Ministry and the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority (BPOLBF), temporary closures have been instituted as a safety precaution at Wae Rebo and Ruteng Pu'u in Manggarai, Kelimutu National Park in Ende due to crater wall landslides, and the Teluk Maumere Marine Tourism Park (TWAL) in Sikka.
Tourist sites across Ngada and Nagekeo regencies also remain restricted due to ongoing power and telecommunication outages. Flight disruptions continue as Ende Airport canceled flights through August 20, and Ruteng's Frans Sales Lega Airport suspended Wings Air flights until August 22.
Conversely, main destinations in Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park, including Padar Island, Loh Liang, Loh Buaya, Gili Lawa, and Batu Cermin, have safely resumed normal operations.
The earthquake, centered 30 kilometers off Mbay-Nagekeo at a depth of 15 kilometers, resulted in 69 fatalities, 331 injuries, and 34,689 displaced residents, alongside over 2,400 recorded aftershocks as of August 18.
Tourism authorities and regional emergency officials urged travelers to verify site accessibility and prioritize safety while seismic monitoring continues.
The Ministry of Tourism confirmed through an official statement that field monitoring and verification efforts are being continuously conducted alongside inter-agency coordination.
"The Ministry of Tourism carries out regular monitoring through field verification at hotels, restaurants, and tourist destinations, alongside operating a tourism information hotline for travelers and business operators to ensure information is accurate and accountable," the ministry stated in an official advisory in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
Government representatives advised incoming visitors to Flores to stay updated via official communication channels before traveling.
"The government urges tourists planning trips to Flores to prioritize safety, monitor information from official sources, and contact the BPOLBF hotline before departure," the ministry added. ***
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