Death Toll Rises to 54 After Major Earthquake in Indonesia
Severe Earthquake Hits East Nusa Tenggara
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Jakarta, Aug 17: The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that the death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province has reached 54.
According to BNPB chief Suharyanto, efforts are ongoing to evaluate the extent of casualties and damage, while rescue teams are providing medical care to hundreds of injured individuals.
As of Sunday, over 12,000 residents have been displaced due to the earthquake, which has caused significant damage to homes and public infrastructure. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency has indicated that aftershocks are still occurring.
To aid in relief efforts, authorities have mobilized land, sea, and air resources, including 11 aircraft and helicopters, to deliver supplies and assist with evacuations in remote regions, such as Palue Island in Sikka regency.
A field hospital is being established at Golo Dukal Stadium, as the earthquake has severely impacted Manggarai Regional Hospital and disrupted local healthcare services.
In response to the disaster, the provincial government of East Nusa Tenggara has declared a 14-day emergency status, effective from August 15 to August 28, as per a decree issued by Governor Melki Laka Lena.
The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency, at a depth of 15 km.
Damage assessments reveal that 914 houses were heavily affected, along with 126 moderately and 317 lightly damaged. Additionally, 93 educational institutions, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices sustained damage.
The emergency status aims to streamline disaster response, evacuation, and relief distribution efforts in the impacted areas.
Governor Melki Laka Lena noted during a press conference in Kupang that several roads have been obstructed or blocked due to landslides.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, multiple flights in East Nusa Tenggara province have been canceled.
The earthquake, which struck near Mbay town in Nagekeo Regency early Saturday, initially triggered a tsunami warning that was later rescinded by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency.
Rescue teams are actively working to assess the situation and the extent of damage across the affected regions.