Around 5,000 individuals have been relocated following a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck an eastern region in Indonesia, resulting in a minimum of 53 casualties, road blockages, and landslides, as per authorities’ reports on Sunday. Over 130 people sustained injuries, many suffering from fractures.
The seismic event on Saturday marked the deadliest in Indonesia since a 2022 earthquake in West Java claimed hundreds of lives. The Sikka region witnessed over 3,300 individuals self-evacuating or seeking refuge in a sports arena, according to the disaster mitigation agency BNPB.
Residents in Sikka found themselves stranded outdoors near collapsed residences, seeking shelter under makeshift tarps. Abdul Mutas, 63, shared his experience of fleeing with his family as the tides rose due to the earthquake.
Simon Subandi, Sikka’s deputy regent, mentioned that almost all residents opted to sleep outside on porches or under tents amid safety concerns. Over 3,500 military and police personnel were dispatched to the affected area, as communicated by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
The fear of aftershocks loomed large among residents in Maumere, where a port was shut down due to damages. The disaster agency reported nearly 1,000 aftershocks post the initial quake. Nearby, a sports stadium served as an evacuation center, witnessing hundreds seeking refuge.
Margaretha Movaldes Da Maga Bapa, leading the region’s disaster mitigation agency, highlighted the emotional impact of the recent quake, reminiscent of the 1992 seismic event. Search and rescue operations aimed at clearing rubble in severely impacted areas continued, with challenges posed by landslides and aftershocks.
While power restoration efforts were nearing completion, authorities focused on repairing distribution lines. An emergency declaration was made for the province of East Nusa Tenggara, enabling resource mobilization and funding allocation by authorities.
Geological expert Dwikorita Karnawati emphasized the earthquake-prone nature of the region due to the Flores back-arc thrust fault system. The area affected by the earthquake had previously experienced a destructive magnitude-7.5 quake in 1992. Indonesia, with its vast population and geographical location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, faces frequent seismic and volcanic activities.