Following the M7.7 earthquake in Flores, Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is monitoring the safety status of tourism zones across East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Tourism activities in East Nusa Tenggara have resumed following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the Flores region on Saturday morning, 15 August. Tour sailing operations in Labuan Bajo, which were temporarily suspended earlier, have now been reopened.

The Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar), together with the Labuan Bajo Flores Authority Implementing Agency (BPOLBF), continues to monitor developments in the post-earthquake situation. Intensive coordination is being carried out with local governments, destination managers, and various stakeholders across the East Nusa Tenggara tourism area.

The Harbour Master and Port Authority Office (KSOP), as the authorized body, had temporarily suspended all sailing operations.

This suspension was implemented in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), maritime safety standards, and early warning mechanisms.

The Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF support this precautionary measure, placing tourist safety as the absolute top priority.

Labuan Bajo Tour Sailing Services Reopened

After safety evaluations were conducted by the maritime authority, all sailing activities in Labuan Bajo were officially reopened.

Labuan Bajo has long served as one of the main entry points for tourists to explore destinations across Flores and surrounding areas, including sea voyages to the region's flagship tourism zones.

Even as sailing operations have resumed, the Ministry of Tourism emphasized that vigilance must remain the primary concern for all parties.

Tourists, tourism business actors, tour boat operators, and local communities in Labuan Bajo and Flores are requested to continuously follow situation updates.

Members of the public are advised to remain alert for possible aftershocks and always comply with on-site instructions from authorities.

Additionally, tourists are asked to monitor official information from BMKG (Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency) and not to be influenced by unsubstantiated rumours or unconfirmed information.

Ministry of Tourism and BPOLBF Monitor Field Conditions

The Ministry of Tourism alongside BPOLBF remain on standby monitoring conditions on the ground. This step is taken to ensure tourism activities in East Nusa Tenggara can operate while upholding three core priorities: tourist safety, security, and comfort.

This post-earthquake event serves as a reminder that the tourism industry, especially in archipelagic regions such as East Nusa Tenggara, depends heavily on robust mitigation preparedness systems and rapid emergency response protocols.

Destination managers and tourism operators are expected to comply with all safety procedures before commencing activities, especially for sea travel which forms a critical part of tourist movement across Labuan Bajo and Flores.

Previously, BMKG reported that the 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the Flores region, East Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday morning.

The earthquake was triggered by tectonic activity along the Flores Back Arc Thrust, a geological zone with a recorded maximum earthquake potential of magnitude 7.8.

BMKG continues to monitor seismic activity following the main tremor. Initial observations over approximately two hours recorded around 37 aftershocks.