The death toll from a powerful Indonesian earthquake off the eastern island of Flores has risen to at least 47, with rescuers continuing to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.   Indonesia’s national disaster management agency, BNPB, raised the toll from 40 on Saturday. Rescue official Fathur Rahman said 50 people were injured after the 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores. BNPB chief Suharyanto said people were believed to be trapped in several buildings, making the structures a priority for emergency response teams. The earthquake damaged nearly 160 houses, along with dozens of educational and health facilities and other public buildings, according to the agency. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said preparations were underway to assist about 2,000 people staying in temporary shelters. The Indonesian government also sent 50,000 aid packages, weighing a combined 275 tonnes, to affected communities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered support through the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation satellite system. Rescue Efforts Hampered Rescue operations have been complicated by landslides that cut off roads, while parts of Flores were left without electricity and telecommunications. Residents also faced the threat of aftershocks. Dozens were recorded following the main earthquake, with the strongest measuring 6.1. Authorities lifted a tsunami warning but urged residents to stay away from damaged buildings because further tremors could cause unstable structures to collapse. Waves reaching up to 1.6 metres were reported in some coastal areas of Flores, according to Indonesia’s BMKG geological agency. Residents near Nagekeo, close to the earthquake’s epicentre, reportedly moved towards higher ground after the sea retreated, raising fears of a possible tsunami. Residents Describe Panic Yulian Juita Ekalia, a university lecturer living in Ruteng, more than 100 kilometres from the epicentre, described the shaking as the strongest earthquake she had experienced. She told AFP that she was jolted awake at about 5:30am local time and rushed outside after household items began falling. Other residents also described widespread panic as people fled their homes and sought safer locations. Hospitals treated patients in temporary medical tents amid concerns about further tremors. The shallow earthquake was located just off Flores’ northern coast, according to US and Indonesian authorities. Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic activity. Flores was previously hit by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in 1992, which triggered a tsunami and killed around 2,500 people. The country was also among the worst affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed about 220,000 people across the region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

The management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has ordered an immediate investigation into a viral video showing the alleged assault of a lecturer following claims of attempted sexual misconduct involving a female student.   The incident reportedly occurred within the university environment on Saturday, August 15, 2026, and footage of the confrontation was subsequently circulated widely on social media. UNIZIK condemned the assault, describing the incident as unfortunate and stressing that violence, self-help and what it called “jungle justice” would not be tolerated within the university. According to the university’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Aloysius Attah, Vice-Chancellor Ugochukwu Anyaehie has repeatedly reaffirmed the institution’s zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct, harassment and other inappropriate behaviour. However, the university said allegations must be handled through established institutional procedures and due process. “No individual or group is permitted to take the law into their own hands within the University environment,” the management said. Given the seriousness of the allegations, the university has ordered a comprehensive and impartial investigation to establish what happened and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. UNIZIK said appropriate administrative procedures have been activated and that the matter remains under review. The university reiterated its commitment to protecting the dignity, safety and wellbeing of staff and students, adding that decisive action would be taken against conduct that violates those principles.

Celebrations broke out across Osun State on Sunday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the August 15 governorship election.   The jubilation was particularly visible in Osogbo, the state capital, and Ede, Adeleke’s hometown, where supporters gathered on the streets singing, dancing and chanting in celebration. According to Channels Television, supporters also gathered at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo as results from the state’s 30 local government areas were announced. Crowds also assembled around Adeleke’s residence in Ede ahead of his expected return. INEC’s Returning Officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, declared Adeleke of the Accord Party the winner early on Sunday. Adeleke secured 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes. The governor won in 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11. Professor Ogunwole said Adeleke had satisfied the requirements of the law and was therefore declared elected. The declaration sparked fresh celebrations around the INEC premises in Osogbo, while large crowds gathered in Ede to celebrate the governor’s return for another term. The celebrations had started in parts of the state as results emerged from polling units and local government areas, with strong support recorded for Adeleke in Ede. The election featured 15 political parties and followed months of campaigning and heightened security across Osun State. INEC recorded 1,005,800 votes cast, with 985,079 valid votes, while 1,010,684 voters were accredited for the election. Adeleke’s victory secures a second term in office. He won the 2022 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before moving to the Accord Party in December 2025. The scenes in Osogbo and Ede recalled the celebrations that followed Adeleke’s emergence as governor after the 2022 election.