At least 47 individuals lost their lives following a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake and numerous aftershocks that hit eastern Indonesia on Saturday, according to the latest update from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Around 2,000 people sought refuge in safer locations as a result of the disaster.
Efforts to reach Nagekeo, the area closest to the earthquake’s epicenter, have been hampered by landslides obstructing roads and disrupting communication channels, as stated by officials. A tsunami warning was rescinded approximately three hours after the seismic event.
Describing the impact of the quake, Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura village in East Nusa Tenggara, emphasized the intensity of the tremor, leading to the rapid evacuation of 13 individuals inside her home.
Rescuers in the town of Maumere discovered 20 deceased individuals, six injured, and two trapped under debris, reported Fathur Rahman, the head of the city’s rescue agency. The town, located in Sikka Regency on Flores Island, is the main urban center in eastern Indonesia.
BNPB Chief, Suharyanto, highlighted the challenges of reaching residents trapped in various structures within the quake-affected areas, with reports of landslides impeding access to several roads.
In the aftermath, it was reported that around 2,000 residents in Nagekeo had been evacuated, with damages sustained by multiple residences, storage facilities, and government establishments. The region also experienced traffic congestion and power failures affecting various parts of the regency.
During a press briefing, the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, confirmed the loss of five lives due to collapsing structures while individuals were asleep.
Initial data from BNPB indicated significant damage to 157 homes, moderate damage to 41 residences, and light damage to 148 buildings. Additionally, destruction was observed at 87 schools, 18 healthcare facilities, five places of worship, six office structures, and other infrastructure.
Videos circulating on social media captured the harrowing scenes of buildings crumbling and people fleeing in panic, showcasing the severity of the situation in Maumere.
Residents such as Siti Sulfia Bira, 37, residing near the port in Maumere, described their apprehension following the tremors and their decision to seek higher ground as a precautionary measure.
Widespread tremors were felt in East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of South Sulawesi, with reports of shaking lasting up to a minute in various regions, according to the BNPB.
Indonesia, situated along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a highly active seismic zone where tectonic plates intersect, faces a constant threat of earthquakes and volcanic activity.