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Indonesia earthquake: Nearly 13,000 still unable to return home
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesia earthquake: Nearly 13,000 still unable to return home

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Nearly 13,000 residents displaced by a powerful earthquake in eastern Indonesia are awaiting aid, with many sheltering in schools and government offices.
  • The 7.7 magnitude earthquake on Saturday killed 53 people and injured over 100, with no reports of missing individuals.
  • Residents are sleeping outdoors due to aftershocks, and at least 914 homes on Flores Island suffered severe damage, prompting calls for government assistance.

Nearly 13,000 people remain displaced in eastern Indonesia following a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck early Saturday, claiming 53 lives and injuring over 100.

Our homes are no longer safe to live in because many have collapsed and are full of cracks, so we can no longer enter.

— JunaidinA resident of Mbay describes the condition of his home after the earthquake.

Residents on Flores Island are facing dire conditions, with many forced to sleep outdoors for a second consecutive night due to ongoing aftershocks. They are taking shelter in schools, police stations, and government offices as hundreds of tremors continue. At least 914 homes on the island sustained severe damage, with hundreds more suffering lesser damage, according to officials.

One resident, Junaidin, 32, described the scene in Mbay, a small town near the epicenter, where families are camping in makeshift tents. "Our homes are no longer safe to live in because many have collapsed and are full of cracks, so we can no longer enter," he told AFP. "We only go home to get water, clothes, and pillows, then we sleep here."

We only go home to get water, clothes, and pillows, then we sleep here.

— JunaidinA resident of Mbay explains his family's temporary living situation.

Junaidin expressed frustration over the delayed aid, noting that while Indonesia celebrated its Independence Day, victims were left wanting. "So far, aid from the government has not arrived. No tents, medicine, food, drinking water, nothing," he said, pleading for government attention. "Please open your eyes, government. We are your people, we are part of you, so please take care of us. We fled without taking anything."

So far, aid from the government has not arrived. No tents, medicine, food, drinking water, nothing.

— JunaidinA resident expresses frustration over the lack of government aid.

Save the Children reported that over 8,000 children are at risk due to the earthquake, facing safety concerns and disruptions to their education. The Indonesian Air Force has dispatched emergency aid, with helicopters delivering supplies to remote areas.

Please open your eyes, government. We are your people, we are part of you, so please take care of us. We fled without taking anything.

— JunaidinA resident pleads with the government for assistance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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