At least 47 individuals lost their lives following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake and numerous aftershocks that hit eastern Indonesia on Saturday, as reported by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Around 2,000 people sought refuge in safer areas.
Rescue teams have not yet accessed Nagekeo, the area closest to the quake’s epicenter, due to landslides blocking roads and disrupting communication channels, according to officials.
After the earthquake, a tsunami warning was rescinded approximately three hours later.
Nona, a 51-year-old resident of Talibura in East Nusa Tenggara, described the earthquake as massive and the tremors as intense, prompting her and 12 others to flee for safety.
In Maumere, rescuers discovered 20 deceased individuals, six injured, and two trapped under debris, as confirmed by Fathur Rahman, the head of the city’s rescue agency. Maumere, situated on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, is the primary town in Sikka Regency.
Suharyanto, the BNPB chief, mentioned that residents are still stuck in various buildings in the affected areas, with landslides blocking roads in some locations.
Efforts to reach Nagekeo, the region closest to the quake’s epicenter, were impeded by landslides, affecting communication signals. Approximately 2,000 Nagekeo residents were evacuated, and damages were observed in several residential and government structures, as mentioned by the BNPB.
Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena of East Nusa Tenggara Province confirmed at a press briefing that five individuals perished due to collapsing debris while asleep.
Initial BNPB data indicated severe damage to 157 homes, moderate damage to 41 residences, and minor damage to 148 structures. Schools, health facilities, places of worship, and office buildings were also affected. Videos on social media displayed buildings collapsing in Maumere.
Residents, like Siti Sulfia Bira, experienced the tremors in Maumere and quickly sought higher ground for safety, expressing concerns about potential aftershocks.
The earthquake’s impact was felt strongly in East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of South Sulawesi, with reports of tremors lasting around one minute in various areas.
Indonesia is located along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a highly active seismic region where tectonic plates converge, leading to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activities.
