At least 47 individuals lost their lives following a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake and numerous aftershocks that hit eastern Indonesia on Saturday, as reported by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). Approximately 2,000 people sought safety in response to the disaster.
Nagekeo, the area closest to the quake’s epicenter, remains inaccessible to rescue teams due to road blockages and communication disruptions caused by landslides. A tsunami warning issued after the earthquake was lifted three hours later.
Residents of Talibura, such as 51-year-old Nona, described the quake as intense, forcing them to flee for safety. In Maumere, rescuers discovered 20 fatalities, six injuries, and two individuals trapped under debris.
BNPB’s Suharyanto mentioned that numerous residents are still trapped in buildings in the affected regions, with landslides obstructing roads. Efforts to reach Nagekeo have been impeded by landslides, with alternative travel by ferry also facing challenges.
Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena confirmed five fatalities due to collapsing structures. Initial data from BNPB indicated severe damage to 157 homes, with additional impacts on schools, health facilities, worship places, and other infrastructure.
Videos on social media depicted chaotic scenes in Maumere as buildings crumbled, causing panic among residents. Siti Sulfia Bira, a local resident, shared her experience of evacuating to higher ground when the tremors began.
The earthquake’s effects were felt across various regions, with reports of prolonged shaking. Indonesia’s location along the “Pacific Ring of Fire” makes it prone to seismic activities due to the convergence of tectonic plates.