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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Thousands Displaced, Dozens Dead After 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake in Indonesia's NTT

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has displaced 5,000 people and claimed 47 lives as of August 16, 2026.
  • Sikka Regency has the highest number of displaced residents, with 3,356 people seeking shelter.
  • The earthquake caused significant damage to 941 homes, 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices, prompting the NTT provincial government to declare a 14-day state of disaster emergency.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region on Saturday, August 15, 2026, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement. As of Sunday morning, August 16, the number of displaced individuals has reached 5,000, with a confirmed death toll of 47 people.

Hundreds of other refugees are also staying in Nagekeo, totaling 500 people.

— Berton PanjaitanProviding details on the number of displaced individuals in various regencies.

Sikka Regency has reported the largest concentration of evacuees, with 3,356 residents forced to leave their homes. Of these, 1,356 are sheltering at the GOR Samador, while approximately 2,000 others have found independent shelter across 10 different locations. In Manggarai Regency, the number of displaced people stands at 2,078, with an additional 500 individuals seeking refuge in Nagekeo.

The most deaths were recorded in Manggarai Regency with 23 people. In East Manggarai Regency, the death toll was 17 people. In Sikka, four residents died, and in West Manggarai, one person was recorded.

— Berton PanjaitanReporting the breakdown of fatalities across different affected regencies.

The earthquake's impact extends beyond displacement, with substantial damage reported to infrastructure. National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) data indicates that 941 homes were severely damaged, 126 sustained minor damage, and 317 were lightly damaged. Public facilities have also been hard-hit, with 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices suffering damage.

Public facilities also experienced severe damage, such as 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices.

— Berton PanjaitanDescribing the damage to public infrastructure.

In response to the crisis, the NTT Provincial Government has declared a 14-day state of disaster emergency. Berton Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB's Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center, stated that affected communities are in urgent need of assistance, including temporary tents, food, medicine, blankets, beds, clean water, and generators. The earthquake, with its epicenter near Mbay in Nagekeo Regency, also triggered a tsunami warning that was later lifted.

The affected communities are still in need of assistance while in the refugee camps.

— Berton PanjaitanHighlighting the ongoing need for aid for earthquake survivors.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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