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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

BNPB: NTT Earthquake Victims Reach 71, 59,647 Displaced

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The death toll from an earthquake in Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), has risen to 71, with one additional fatality reported in Nagekeo Regency.
  • Over 59,600 people remain displaced due to fear of aftershocks and damaged buildings, with the largest group in Manggarai.
  • Authorities are distributing aid, having delivered 165 tons by air and a total of 398 tons by Tuesday, facing challenges with difficult terrain and damaged roads, and are utilizing sea transport for remote areas.

The death toll from a recent earthquake in Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), has climbed to 71, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The latest figures, updated as of Wednesday, August 19, 2026, indicate an increase from previous counts, with one new fatality recorded in Nagekeo Regency.

The number of victims has increased by one to 71, in Nagekeo Regency.

— Berton SP PanjaitanBNPB acting head, reporting the updated death toll from the earthquake.

Beyond the fatalities, the earthquake has left a significant portion of the population displaced. BNPB reports that 59,647 individuals are currently seeking shelter, a number driven by persistent aftershocks and widespread damage to residential structures. The Manggarai region is hosting the largest concentration of these evacuees, with approximately 20,000 people.

Government efforts are focused on delivering essential supplies to those affected. As of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 165 tons of aid had been transported by air, contributing to a total of 398 tons delivered between Saturday and Tuesday. Distributing aid via land routes presents considerable difficulties due to the challenging geographical conditions and damaged roadways across Flores.

Based on our records, as many as 59,647 people are currently displaced, with the largest number in Manggarai, around 20,000 people.

— Berton SP PanjaitanDetailing the scale of displacement following the earthquake.

To overcome these logistical hurdles, authorities are optimizing sea transport to reach areas with substantial aid requirements. The naval vessel KRI Bung Hatta, for instance, was dispatched from Labuan Bajo Port to Reo Port in Manggarai Regency on August 18, carrying essential goods like staple foods and family tents for distribution in Manggarai and East Manggarai regencies.

The support will then be distributed to Manggarai Regency and East Manggarai Regency.

— Berton SP PanjaitanDescribing the destination of aid delivered by KRI Bung Hatta.

Berton Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, noted that the independent evacuation of many residents complicates timely aid distribution. He also highlighted that access to villages remains difficult, requiring significant time due to unstable road conditions and narrow paths. The agency is working to ensure aid reaches all affected communities despite these obstacles.

Access to villages is not easy and it takes time to reach them because of the unstable condition of the roads and their narrowness.

— Berton SP PanjaitanExplaining the logistical challenges in distributing aid.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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