Devastating earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia
ENDE, Indonesia — Rescuers in eastern Indonesia are searching through collapsed buildings following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 53 people, as the Southeast Asian nation marks its Independence Day reeling from the impact of fresh tremors, reports BritPanorama.
The disaster, which struck on Saturday in East Nusa Tenggara province, is the country’s deadliest since a 2022 quake that resulted in hundreds of fatalities in West Java. As of late Sunday, the official death toll stood at 53.
The quake triggered landslides and blocked roads throughout Indonesia’s southernmost province, particularly impacting the regions of Sikka and Manggarai. Thousands have been evacuated, with many taking refuge in tents outdoors, hesitant to return to their homes over fears of aftershocks.
As of Monday, local media reported nearly 1,600 aftershocks in the province, with the geophysics agency identifying a 5.6 magnitude quake in the Nagekeo region near the epicenter earlier in the day.
In a village near the quake-impacted Ende region, a 64-year-old farmer, Firmus Woge, received treatment for asthma exacerbated by panic-induced stress as tremors persisted. “I felt better last night and this morning, but it’s getting worse again after this morning’s quake,” he reported.
Authorities have confirmed that the search for potential survivors will continue. Fathur Rahman, head of the rescue office in Maumere, Sikka’s capital, noted on Monday that search efforts will emphasize aerial monitoring for any individuals reported missing. Rescuers plan to deploy an extrication device along with a helicopter, although he added there have been no reports of missing persons or obstacles affecting their operations.
As Indonesia grapples with this significant disaster, the full scale of the damage and the ongoing rescue efforts remain a focal point for both locals and responders navigating the immediate aftermath.
