Indonesia Faces Devastation After 7.7 Earthquake: 53 Dead, Thousands Displaced
On Saturday, a shallow 7.7‑magnitude earthquake struck the island of Flores in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, killing 53 people, displacing almost 5,000 residents and sparking a wave of aftershocks.
Rescue crews are combing the rubble and checking every building, as the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reports 341 aftershocks have already followed the initial quake. Preliminary damage estimates show more than 900 homes and hundreds of other structures, including schools, clinics and government offices, suffered serious damage.
Industrial‑scale emergency supplies have been dispatched to Manggarai, where the largest casualty toll—25 deaths—was recorded. The deputy health minister reported 36 serious injuries and 77 minor injuries across East Nusa Tenggara.
Hospitals, such as the Ruteng Regional Hospital, now operate from temporary tents in the open air while waiting for official medical aid. “We heard that medical assistance would be provided, but nothing has arrived yet,” a hospital spokesperson said.
A significant aftershock has raised caution in the area, prompting BNPB to advise residents to stay calm, keep away from coastal zones, and avoid damaged structures while rescue teams work to free trapped civilians. Asia’s ancient “Ring of Fire” proves its peril as the earthquake sent the region into a state of emergency.
