Jakarta, August 17: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province in Indonesia on Saturday, resulting in a rising death toll of 54, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
BNPB Chief Suharyanto reported that rescue and relief operations are ongoing in the affected areas. Authorities are continuously assessing the damage, while rescue teams are providing medical assistance to the injured. Hundreds have sustained injuries from the quake.
By Sunday, over 12,000 individuals had been displaced from their homes. The earthquake has caused significant damage to numerous houses and public facilities. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency of Indonesia has indicated that aftershocks are still being felt in the affected region.
To deliver relief supplies and evacuate people from remote areas, land, sea, and air transport have been mobilized. The relief effort includes 11 planes and helicopters, particularly focusing on hard-to-reach areas like the Palu Islands in Sikka Regency.
The Manggarai Regional Hospital has suffered damage, impacting local health services. In response, a field hospital is being set up at Golo Dukal Stadium.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of East Nusa Tenggara has declared a state of emergency from August 15 to 28. This measure aims to expedite relief and rescue operations, facilitate evacuations, distribute aid, and support rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.
According to government data, 914 houses have been severely damaged, while 126 houses sustained moderate damage and 317 experienced minor damage. Additionally, 93 educational institutions, 36 health centers, and 38 government offices have also been affected.
Provincial Governor Melki Laka Lena noted that some roads have been cut off or blocked due to landslides. Several flights have also been canceled in the province following the earthquake.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 30 kilometers northeast of the town of Mbai in Nagekeo Regency, at a depth of 15 kilometers. A tsunami warning was initially issued after the quake but was later retracted by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency.
Rescue teams continue to search through the debris, assist the injured, and assess the extent of the damage in the affected areas.
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