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Death Toll Rises to 53, 135 Injured After 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Indonesia

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Authorities in Indonesia have raised the death toll to 53 and the number of injured to 135 following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores island.
  • The earthquake, which occurred on Saturday, has forced the evacuation of over 5,000 people, with rescue efforts ongoing.
  • The hardest-hit districts include Manggarai and East Manggarai, where most fatalities were reported, and significant damage to homes and public facilities has occurred.

The death toll from a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck the coast of Flores island in Indonesia has risen to 53, with 135 people injured, authorities reported Sunday. The quake, which hit on Saturday, has also prompted the evacuation of over 5,000 residents as rescue operations continue.

The impact has been significant. Many citizens have died or resulted injured; homes and public facilities have suffered damage; and community activities have been interrupted.

— Emanuel Melkiades Laka LenaProvincial Governor of Indonesia, describing the impact of the earthquake.

The Local Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) detailed the casualties, noting that the highest number of fatalities occurred in the Manggarai district (25) and East Manggarai (20). Other affected districts include Sikka (4), Ende (2), Nagekeo (1), and West Manggarai (1). In addition to the fatalities, 135 individuals sustained injuries, with more than fifty in serious condition, according to the BPBD.

We are focusing on the search and evacuation of victims, health services, the supply of basic necessities and shelters, and the restoration of access to affected transport and infrastructure.

— Emanuel Melkiades Laka LenaProvincial Governor of Indonesia, outlining the immediate priorities following the earthquake.

Provincial Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena described the impact as "significant," stating that "many citizens have died or been injured; homes and public facilities have suffered damage; and community activities have been disrupted." He added that the focus is currently on search and rescue, health services, providing essential supplies and shelter, and restoring damaged transportation and infrastructure.

Meeting basic needs and providing supplies in the evacuation centers is now a priority.

— Berton SP PanjaitanChief of Information for the BPBD, highlighting the urgent needs of survivors.

Over 5,000 residents of Flores have been displaced and are staying in public evacuation centers or with relatives. The BPBD emphasized that meeting basic needs and supplying evacuation centers with items like tents, rice, medicine, blankets, and generators is a top priority. Indonesia, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its location at the convergence of tectonic plates.

Survivors, located in sports centers and other 'evacuation points,' urgently need basic necessities such as tents, rice, medicines, blankets, drinking water, and generators.

— Berton SP PanjaitanChief of Information for the BPBD, detailing the essential supplies required by evacuees.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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