A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, killing at least 53 people, injuring more than 130 and forcing about 5,000 residents to evacuate. The disaster, the country’s deadliest earthquake since hundreds died in West Java in 2022, damaged buildings, blocked roads and triggered landslides across parts of East Nusa Tenggara province.
More than 3,500 military and police personnel were deployed to clear debris and search for people who may remain trapped, particularly in Manggarai, East Manggarai and Nagekeo. Officials said no missing-person reports had been received, but landslides and continuing aftershocks were slowing rescue operations.
Fear of further tremors kept many residents outdoors. Nearly 1,000 aftershocks had been recorded by Sunday, according to the national disaster agency. In Sikka, more than 3,300 people either evacuated independently or sought shelter in a sports arena. Others slept beneath tarps near damaged homes, while hospitals treated patients in tents and hallways.
The port in Maumere was closed after sections of its roof and walls collapsed. Residents gathered at designated evacuation centres, where aid workers distributed food, tents and warm drinks. Some families said rising tides and concern about possible aftershocks prompted them to leave their homes with few possessions.
Authorities reported that electricity had been almost fully restored, although repairs to distribution lines continued. The East Nusa Tenggara government declared a provincial emergency, allowing officials to mobilize additional funding and resources for relief and recovery.
Geologists linked the region’s earthquake risk to the Flores back-arc thrust fault, a major fault system running west-east. The same area experienced a magnitude-7.5 earthquake in 1992 that caused extensive destruction and remains a source of trauma for residents. Indonesia lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic activity frequently produces earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Recovery efforts continued as displaced communities awaited additional aid and damage assessments.
