SAR Teams Focus on Two Districts in East Nusa Tenggara After Earthquake

Search and rescue teams are focusing their efforts on Manggarai and Manggarai Timur districts in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) following a recent earthquake. The head of SAR Maumere, Fatur Rahman, stated that the operation's priority is these two areas after initial rescue efforts in Maumere, Sikka Regency, where five victims were evacuated.

The SAR team utilized the KN SAR 250 Punta Dewa vessel for their operation to Mbay, the epicenter of the earthquake. Personnel and equipment have been deployed to priority locations since early morning. Access to some previously blocked areas, due to landslides, has now been cleared, allowing for expanded search and rescue operations via both land and sea routes.

“

In today, we focus the search in two districts, namely Manggarai and Manggarai Timur.

Personnel from the West Manggarai SAR Post have successfully accessed land routes in Reo, a region previously affected by landslides. This re-opening of access allows for a broader reach to areas requiring assistance. The SAR team continues to conduct sweeps and data collection, coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure all affected regions are covered.

Preliminary data indicates 112 people have been affected by the earthquake, including 48 deaths and 64 individuals with moderate to severe injuries. These numbers are subject to change as data verification and collection continue in collaboration with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and other SAR potentials. The public is urged to remain calm and vigilant for potential aftershocks.

“

We used KN SAR 250 Punta Dewa when departing for Mbay for the SAR operation.