BNPB Data: 14 People Dead Due to M7 Earthquake in NTT

A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake struck Indonesia's Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) region on Saturday morning, leaving at least 14 people dead, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The tremor, which occurred at approximately 5:58 AM local time, also resulted in two severe injuries and 11 minor ones.

The fatalities were reported across several districts, with Sikka Regency recording three deaths, Manggarai Regency six, and East Manggarai Regency five. The BNPB stressed that these figures are preliminary and subject to change as verification and validation processes continue on the ground. The agency noted that traffic congestion and power outages were reported in the affected areas.

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The deceased victims are temporarily recorded in Sikka Regency as three people, six people in Manggarai Regency, and five people in East Manggarai Regency. Meanwhile, injured victims are reported in Sikka Regency, Nagekeo Regency, Manggarai Regency, and East Manggarai Regency.

Beyond the human toll, the earthquake caused widespread damage. BNPB data indicates that 54 houses were severely damaged, nine moderately, and 11 lightly. Additionally, five health facilities, one educational facility, one warehouse, three places of worship, and six government offices sustained damage. Manggarai Regency was particularly hard-hit, with 29 houses severely damaged, nine moderately, and nine lightly. East Manggarai Regency reported 23 severely damaged houses.

The earthquake prompted an early tsunami warning from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), leading approximately 2,000 residents to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure. While the tsunami warning was eventually lifted, the strong tremors and subsequent damage have left communities reeling. The earthquake's epicenter was located about 30 kilometers offshore from Mbay-Nagekeo at a depth of 15 kilometers.

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The victim data is still temporary and could change along with the verification and validation process by BPBD and related parties. Berton stated that every data development will be conveyed based on official data collection results in the field.