At least 47 individuals lost their lives following a massive magnitude 7.7 earthquake and numerous aftershocks that hit eastern Indonesia on Saturday, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Around 2,000 people sought safety in response to the disaster.
Due to landslides and communication disruptions caused by the quake, rescue teams have not yet reached Nagekeo, the area closest to the earthquake’s epicenter. Despite the initial tsunami warning, it was ultimately lifted three hours after the seismic event.
Describing the intensity of the quake, a resident named Nona from Talibura village in East Nusa Tenggara stated, “The quake was massive; the shock was so strong. There were 13 of us inside the house, and we all ran to save ourselves.”
In the town of Maumere, rescuers discovered 20 fatalities, six injuries, and two individuals trapped under debris. The head of the city’s rescue agency, Fathur Rahman, confirmed these figures. Maumere, situated in Sikka Regency on Flores Island, is the primary town in the region.
Suharyanto, the BNPB chief, mentioned that residents are still trapped in several structures in the affected areas, with reports of landslides obstructing various roads. Efforts to reach Nagekeo have been hindered by landslides, affecting communication signals in the region.
The governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, revealed that at least five individuals perished as buildings collapsed while they slept. Initial BNPB data indicated significant damage to 157 homes, moderate damage to 41 homes, and light damage to 148 homes, along with harm to schools, health facilities, places of worship, and other infrastructure.
Videos circulating on social media depicted buildings crumbling and people fleeing in panic. Siti Sulfia Bira, a resident near the Maumere port, shared her experience of rushing to higher ground during the tremors, expressing ongoing concerns about potential aftershocks.
The quake’s impact was felt across several regions, with residents reporting approximately one minute of shaking. Indonesia, situated on the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an area prone to seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements, experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.