A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara province in eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 51 people and injuring dozens more, officials reported.
The quake triggered landslides that blocked roads, complicating rescue efforts and forcing around 5,000 residents to evacuate affected areas. Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus said 36 individuals sustained serious injuries while 77 suffered minor wounds.
Following the main shock, the region experienced approximately 341 aftershocks, marking this as one of the most severe seismic events in the country in recent years. The 2022 West Java earthquake previously resulted in hundreds of fatalities.
Evacuations and Emergency Response
- More than 3,300 people in the Sikka district either self-evacuated or were stranded in a sports arena, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
- Many residents stayed outdoors in makeshift tents or on porches due to fear of aftershocks, as noted by Sikka's deputy regent, Simon Subandi.
- Medical treatment was provided in temporary tents set up outside hospitals in Maumere town.
- Over 3,500 military and police personnel have been deployed to assist with rescue and relief operations.
Infrastructure and Damage
- More than 1,300 homes were damaged, with numerous people trapped under rubble.
- Twenty petrol stations suspended operations amid power outages, impacting fuel supply.
- Rescuers managed to access some areas previously blocked by landslides, enhancing relief efforts.
- The provincial government is contemplating declaring a state of emergency to unlock additional resources and funding.
Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The affected region previously experienced a devastating 7.5 magnitude quake in 1992.
