Thousands of individuals in Flores, Indonesia, were awaiting assistance as of Monday following a strong earthquake that resulted in at least 68 casualties, over 200 injuries, and extensive property damage. Many residents in East Nusa Tenggara province’s Flores island were grieving for victims and anticipating aid in areas still inaccessible after the destructive tremor.
The aftermath of the quake showcased widespread devastation, with structures collapsing onto vehicles, residences reduced to rubble, and roadways obstructed by debris. Rasyid Jafar, a local clothing merchant in Reo village, described the urgent need for essential supplies like food, medicine, and clean water.
President Prabowo Subianto, during Indonesia’s Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta, requested prayers for those affected by disasters in East Nusa Tenggara and nationwide, leading a moment of silence to honor the country’s heroes. The earthquake, which struck East Nusa Tenggara province early Saturday at a depth of 10 kilometers, caused damage to over 4,500 homes, displaced 19,000 individuals, and left 213 wounded, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The catastrophe also impacted 122 health facilities, 252 schools, and 84 places of worship.
Authorities reported 1,576 aftershocks by Monday, with approximately 50 felt by residents. The governor of the province declared a 14-day state of emergency on Sunday to manage the crisis effectively.
In Flores, numerous people sought shelter under tarpaulin tents outside damaged homes, wary of aftershocks. The region witnessed extensive destruction, including fallen trees, landslides hurling boulders downhill, and houses severely damaged or destroyed.
Rescue efforts involved nearly 1,500 military and police personnel, along with air support to transport 275 tons of aid to affected areas. Logistical challenges slowed aid deliveries to some severely affected communities, prompting the establishment of emergency field hospitals in Ruteng town to treat victims.
Aid workers successfully reached Palue Island, close to the quake’s epicenter, after a challenging journey through landslide-affected terrain. The region faced isolation, leaving thousands in urgent need of assistance.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region prone to seismic activity, has a history of natural disasters. Previous incidents include a devastating earthquake and tsunami in Flores in 1992, a catastrophic tsunami following a Sumatra quake in 2004, and a Sulawesi earthquake-triggered tsunami in 2018.