Oarfish Washes Ashore in Lombok, Reigniting Earthquake Omen Beliefs

The discovery of an unusual deep-sea fish, identified as an oarfish, on Pink Beach in East Lombok, Indonesia, has reignited ancient local beliefs linking the creature to omens of earthquakes and tsunamis. According to local media reports, the fish was found on Tuesday morning (August 25, 2026). Children playing on the shore noticed the unusually shaped fish washed up on the sand. It had a long, ribbon-like body, silvery-white in color, with a striking red fin running from its head to its tail. Residents who gathered photographed the scene with their mobile phones, and the footage spread across social media. As videos of the presumed oarfish circulated, they sparked various speculations. Especially since an earthquake had shaken Flores two weeks prior, many netizens linked the deep-sea fish to myths about it being a harbinger of earthquakes and tsunamis. The oarfish (scientific name: Regalecus glesne) is known as one of the longest bony fish in the world. Unlike most fish, it does not have a hard scale covering but rather a silvery surface that shimmers when exposed to light. A bright red fin runs along its back, a characteristic feature of the species. Its average length ranges from three to eight meters, with some scientific records indicating it can exceed 10 meters and weigh hundreds of kilograms. Its flattened, elongated body shape is distinctive. In East Lombok, the appearance of oarfish on the coast is often associated by residents with the arrival of natural disasters. Although no scientific evidence has been presented, the appearance of this deep-sea fish is passed down among the community as deeply rooted folklore.