A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia has killed at least 54 people and forced about 12,800 residents from their homes, as authorities continue rescue and relief operations on Flores Island.
The earthquake struck early Saturday off the northern coast of Flores, causing extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure. More than 100 people were reportedly injured, while officials said there were no confirmed reports of missing persons.
According to Indonesia’s national disaster agency, BNPB, the number of displaced residents had risen to 12,800 by Monday morning, with survivors taking shelter in schools, police stations, government buildings and makeshift camps.
Residents have remained reluctant to return home following more than 1,600 aftershocks recorded since the main tremor.
In Mbay, a town near the epicentre in Nagekeo Regency, residents were seen sleeping in temporary shelters made from tarpaulins and poles.
A resident, Junaidin, 32, said many houses in the community had become unsafe.
“Our houses are no longer liveable, because many have collapsed and are full of cracks, so we can’t go inside anymore.”
He said residents were returning briefly to their homes only to collect essential items before spending the night outside.
Junaidin also expressed frustration over what he described as delays in receiving government assistance.
“There hasn’t been any — no tents, no medicine, no food, no drinking water, nothing,” he said, appealing to the authorities to provide urgent support.
The Indonesian Air Force has begun transporting emergency supplies to affected communities, with 13 tonnes of relief materials being delivered using two Hercules aircraft and a Boeing plane.
The supplies include food, clothing, clean water and emergency medical equipment, while helicopters are being deployed to reach isolated communities.
Military personnel have also been mobilised to assist with the distribution of relief materials.
Another resident, 31-year-old mother of three Siti Saudah Daso, said many families fled their homes with little or nothing.
“We fled with nothing. Just the clothes on our backs. We’re victims; we’re going through a disaster,” she said.
She added that residents were disappointed by the slow arrival of promised assistance.
Rescue teams are continuing land and aerial operations to search affected areas. Search and rescue official Fathur Rahman said authorities were still checking communities despite the absence of reports of missing people.
The earthquake severely damaged at least 914 houses, while hundreds of others suffered less extensive damage. Several public facilities, including schools, health centres and government offices, were also affected.
Save the Children estimated that more than 8,000 children were facing safety concerns and interruptions to their education as a result of the disaster.
Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an area known for intense seismic activity.
The latest disaster has also revived memories of the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores in 1992, triggering a tsunami that killed about 2,500 people.
In 2004, another major earthquake off Sumatra generated a tsunami that killed about 220,000 people across the region, including approximately 170,000 in Indonesia.
