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Indonesia earthquake kills 68, displaces nearly 13,000
🇵🇦 Panama /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesia earthquake kills 68, displaces nearly 13,000

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A magnitude 7.7 earthquake in eastern Indonesia killed 68 people and left over 12,800 displaced, with many sleeping in tents due to fear of aftershocks.
  • Residents in Mbay reported a lack of immediate government aid, including tents, medicine, food, and clean water, as the country celebrated its independence day.
  • The Indonesian air force is deploying emergency aid via planes and helicopters to reach survivors in isolated communities, while rescuers continue search efforts.

Thousands of Indonesians displaced by a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake in the eastern part of the country are awaiting aid, many sleeping in makeshift tents outside schools and government buildings. The Saturday quake killed at least 68 people and injured more than 100, with rescue agencies reporting no missing persons.

Every time it moves, even just a little, we panic. But there is nowhere to flee, as we are already at the highest point.

— Muhamad YasinAn evacuee describing the fear of aftershocks.

In Mbay, a town near the epicenter, residents like Muhamad Yasin and Junaidin described sleeping outdoors for a second night, fearing aftershocks. "Every time it moves, even just a little, we panic," Yasin said. Junaidin noted that their homes were uninhabitable, with many collapsed or cracked. "We only go home to get water, clothes, and pillows, and then (...) we spend the night here," he added, expressing frustration over the delayed aid.

Our houses are no longer habitable because many have collapsed, are cracked, and we cannot enter.

— JunaidinA resident of Mbay explaining why he and others are sleeping in makeshift camps.

While Indonesia celebrated its independence day on Monday, some affected residents felt neglected. "As for government aid, there has been none, no tents, no medicine, no food, no clean water, nothing," Junaidin stated. Siti Sauda Daso, a mother of three, echoed this sentiment, saying, "We fled with nothing. With the clothes on our backs. We are victims, we are living a catastrophe." She added, "They told us they would give us something, but there is no proof. Honestly, we are a bit annoyed, disappointed."

As for government aid, there has been none, no tents, no medicine, no food, no clean water, nothing.

— JunaidinExpressing frustration over the delayed arrival of assistance.

The Indonesian air force announced it would transport 13 tons of emergency aid by plane and use helicopters to reach isolated communities. Search and rescue teams remain in the area, and over 900 homes on Flores island suffered severe damage, with hundreds more sustaining minor damage. Indonesia, situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," experiences frequent seismic activity.

We fled with nothing. With the clothes on our backs. We are victims, we are living a catastrophe.

— Siti Sauda DasoA 31-year-old woman describing her experience fleeing the earthquake.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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