At least 47 individuals lost their lives following a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake and numerous aftershocks that hit off the coast of eastern Indonesia. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that around 2,000 people sought refuge in safer locations.
Rescue operations have been impeded in Nagekeo, the area nearest to the earthquake’s epicenter, due to landslides obstructing roads and disrupting communication channels. Despite the challenging conditions, a tsunami alert was lifted approximately three hours after the seismic event.
A resident named Nona from Talibura, a village in East Nusa Tenggara, described the intense shock of the earthquake, prompting her and 12 others to swiftly evacuate their home for safety. In Maumere, a port town, rescue efforts uncovered 20 fatalities, six injuries, and two individuals trapped under debris, as confirmed by Fathur Rahman, the head of the city’s rescue agency.
Suharyanto, the BNPB chief, highlighted that inhabitants remain trapped in various structures in affected regions, with reports of landslides hindering access to multiple locations. Efforts to reach Nagekeo have been hampered by road blockages caused by landslides, with alternative transportation methods being explored.
The governor of East Nusa Tenggara Province, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, disclosed that at least five individuals perished in collapsing structures during their sleep. Initial data from the BNPB indicated significant damage to residential properties, schools, health facilities, places of worship, office buildings, and other infrastructure.
Video footage from Maumere depicted panicked scenes as parts of buildings crumbled, sending people fleeing into the streets. Siti Sulfia Bira, a local resident, recounted seeking higher ground with her family once the tremors commenced, expressing concerns about returning home amid ongoing seismic activity.
The earthquake’s impact was widely felt across several regions, including East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and parts of South Sulawesi, with residents experiencing prolonged shaking episodes. Indonesia, situated along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” is prone to seismic and volcanic events due to the convergence of tectonic plates in the region.