At least 47 individuals lost their lives following a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake and multiple aftershocks that hit eastern Indonesia on Saturday, as confirmed by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Around 2,000 people sought safety in response to the disaster.
Rescue operations have not yet reached Nagekeo, the area nearest to the quake’s epicenter, due to road blockages and communication disruptions caused by landslides, officials reported. A tsunami alert was canceled three hours post the seismic event.
Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura in East Nusa Tenggara, described the intense impact of the quake, prompting her and 12 others to flee for safety. In Maumere, a port town, rescuers discovered 20 deceased persons, six injured individuals, and two trapped under debris, as stated by Fathur Rahman, the city’s rescue agency head.
BNPB’s Suharyanto mentioned that residents remained trapped in buildings in affected regions, with landslides obstructing roads. Efforts to reach Nagekeo faced challenges with landslides blocking roads for car travel, while another team was attempting access via ferry.
Approximately 2,000 locals evacuated from Nagekeo, with reports of damage to residences, warehouses, and government structures. The BNPB highlighted traffic congestion and power outages in some areas of the regency.
Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena of East Nusa Tenggara Province disclosed that at least five individuals died in collapsing structures during sleep. Initial BNPB data indicated heavy damage to 157 homes, moderate damage to 41, and light damage to 148. Schools, health facilities, places of worship, and office buildings were also affected.
Videos showed buildings collapsing and people fleeing in panic in Maumere. Siti Sulfia Bira, a resident near the port, recounted the fear and uncertainty during the tremors, prompting her family to seek higher ground.
Residents across several regions felt strong tremors lasting about a minute, with many evacuating their homes. Indonesia, situated on the seismically active “Pacific Ring of Fire,” commonly experiences earthquakes and volcanic activities due to the convergence of Earth’s tectonic plates.
