Indonesia Quake Kills 51, Prompts Mass Evacuations Amid Landslides

Eastern Indonesia is grappling with the aftermath of a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara province, claiming at least 51 lives and leaving over 110 people injured. The quake, which occurred Saturday morning, triggered landslides and blocked crucial roads, prompting authorities to evacuate around 5,000 residents.

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I only brought my body.

Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus reported that 36 individuals sustained serious injuries, while 77 others had minor ones. The earthquake was followed by approximately 341 aftershocks, adding to the disruption and fear. Many residents, like 63-year-old Abdul Mutas, described fleeing their homes with only what they could carry, spending the night in makeshift tents or on porches due to the rising tides and fear of aftershocks.

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The tides were rising, so we ran.

In the port town of Maumere, some injured individuals received treatment in tents outside a hospital. Simon Subandi, deputy regent of Sikka, noted that nearly all residents were hesitant to stay indoors. Over 3,500 military and police personnel have been deployed to assist with rescue and relief efforts. The disaster mitigation agency BNPB stated that more than 1,300 homes were damaged, and rescue teams are working to reach areas cut off by landslides. The East Nusa Tenggara government is considering declaring a state of emergency to mobilize resources and funding for the recovery.

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Almost all of Sikka's residents didn't dare stay indoors, so they slept on a porch or a tent outside.