7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Kills at Least 53 in Eastern Indonesia
Deadly Quake Strikes Eastern Indonesia
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Nagekeo District in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province on Saturday at 5:58 a.m. local time. [2] The shallow quake occurred at a depth of just 15 km and killed at least 53 people while displacing some 5,000 others. [4] As of Sunday evening, Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency reported 54 deaths, 199 injuries, 9,963 displaced people and 1,528 affected households. [2] This marks the country's deadliest earthquake since 2022, when hundreds died in West Java. [4]
Survivors Endure Aftershocks and Aid Delays
Refugees across Flores island are sleeping outdoors through sweltering days and frigid nights for fear that more buildings may collapse amid hundreds of aftershocks. [4] Tents set up amid the rubble of collapsed hospitals are serving as makeshift emergency rooms for injured patients. [4] Early data indicate that more than 1,000 houses have been damaged, along with dozens of health facilities, schools and government offices. [4] At Ruteng Regional General Hospital in Manggarai Regency, the operating room, delivery room, pharmacy and laboratory were all rendered defunct after the building's roof collapsed. [4] A public relations officer at the hospital stated that medical assistance had been promised but nothing had arrived yet. [4] In Ngada Regency, local resident Charles Abar noted that health facilities and equipment had been severely damaged and that, as of Sunday night, no medical assistance had arrived. [4] Many survivors in Labuan Bajo have been sleeping outdoors, with one farmer named Anastasia Imad saying the shaking was very scary and that her house almost collapsed. [4]
Remote Villages Face Landslides and Isolation
Landslides have severed access roads, creating blackouts and supply shortages that leave some villages cut off. [4] On Sunday night, rescuers reached Nitung Village on Palue Island after it had been isolated for nearly two full days. [4] The team completed a two-hour overland journey from the coast, with Sikka Deputy Police Chief Commissioner Marselus Yugo Amboro describing the route as still prone to landslides and life-threatening. [4] Hundreds of homes in the village were severely damaged, residents were sheltering in makeshift shelters, and electricity and communication lines were completely cut off. [4] The deputy police chief noted that Nitung Village had not received aid because it was isolated for nearly two days and added that it is likely the village in Sikka Regency that suffered the worst damage. [4]
Government Prepares Disaster Funding
Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the funding for disaster response in East Nusa Tenggara would initially come from the budget allocated to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. [2] He stated there is a special reserve for disasters with around Rp5 trillion still available. [2] The minister explained that the disaster response would be carried out in stages, starting with emergency measures funded through BNPB, and that if funding needs an increase the government would adjust the budget support. [2] He added that the government also has standby funds that can be released based on the needs on the ground and that financing would be provided based on the needs of the disaster response and coordinated agencies. [2] Reconstruction of public facilities that cannot be financed through BNPB would require coordination with the relevant ministries and government agencies. [2]
International Condolences from South Korea
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed his condolences to the victims of the earthquake and hoped for the safe return of those who remain missing. [5] In a post on X, he wrote that he is deeply saddened by the devastating damage and extended his deepest condolences on behalf of the South Korean government to the victims and the bereaved families. [5] Lee expressed hope that recovery efforts will proceed swiftly under the leadership of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto so that residents in the affected areas can return to their daily lives. [5] He also voiced hope that as many as possible will return safely to their families. [5]
Context of Indonesia's Seismic Risk
Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, lying along the meeting point of three major tectonic plates. [4] The recent event is the country's deadliest since the 2022 West Java quake. [4]
What to watch next: Aid shipments are expected to reach previously isolated areas such as Nitung Village while the government stages further emergency funding from BNPB reserves and standby funds as needs are assessed on the ground.
