The death toll from Saturday’s powerful earthquake in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province reached 53 by late Sunday, making it the country’s deadliest earthquake since a 2022 tremor in West Java killed hundreds.
The 7.7-magnitude quake triggered landslides and blocked roads in several parts of the province, including Sikka and Manggarai. Thousands of residents were evacuated and many remained in tents, fearing further tremors could damage already weakened structures.
Nearly 1,600 aftershocks were recorded in the province by Monday, according to local media reports citing the head of Indonesia’s geophysics agency. A 5.6-magnitude earthquake was also reported in the Nagekeo region, near the original epicentre, on Monday morning.
In a village near the quake-hit Ende region, 64-year-old farmer Firmus Woge was being treated for asthma at a damaged health centre surrounded by tents and hospital beds. He said the continuing tremors had worsened his condition.
“I felt better last night and this morning but it’s getting worse again after this morning’s quake,” he said.
Authorities said search operations would continue on Monday, with rescuers focusing on aerial surveillance to determine whether anyone remained missing.
Fathur Rahman, head of the rescue office in Sikka’s capital Maumere, told Reuters that helicopters and specialised equipment would be deployed during the operation. He said there were currently no reports of missing people.
The government has also prepared aircraft to transport emergency supplies, including food and tents, disaster agency chief Suharyanto said. Around 500 homes were damaged in the earthquake.
Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus said emergency field hospitals would be established in several affected areas. He added that neurosurgeons and orthopaedic specialists were needed to treat victims suffering head injuries and fractures.
While Indonesia marked its Independence Day on Monday, celebrations were overshadowed by the devastation in the quake-hit province.
President Prabowo Subianto was expected to lead ceremonies in Jakarta marking the country’s independence from Japanese rule in 1945.
In Ende, residents who fled to higher ground amid fears of a tsunami carried clothes, mattresses and other belongings with them.
Gervas, 42, said the disaster had left him more concerned about his family’s safety than the national celebrations.
“I don’t think about that anymore. I just think about the safety of my wife and 4-year-old twins,” he said.
