East Nusa Tenggara faces state of emergency consideration after magnitude 7.7 quake
Authorities in Indonesia are weighing a state of emergency for East Nusa Tenggara province following a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 51 people and damaged more than 1,300 homes.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday morning, killing at least 51 people and injuring 113 others, according to Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus. The quake, centred approximately 68km north-northwest of Ende on Flores Island, has triggered a major humanitarian response in the East Nusa Tenggara province, where authorities are considering declaring a state of emergency to unlock further resources and funding.
The disaster has displaced approximately 5,000 people and caused severe structural damage across the region. State energy firm Pertamina reported that more than 1,300 homes have been damaged or destroyed, with 20 petrol stations remaining closed due to widespread power outages. Lieutenant General Suharyanto, head of the disaster mitigation agency BNPB, confirmed that at least 157 houses were completely destroyed and nearly 200 others sustained significant damage, forcing thousands of residents into temporary shelters.
Rescue efforts are being severely hampered by difficult terrain and environmental conditions. Landslides have blocked roads in the hard-hit Sikka and Nagekeo regencies, disrupting communications and isolating communities. Fathur Rahman, head of the local search and rescue agency in Maumere, noted that teams are attempting to reach Nagekeo by ferry, as land access remains compromised. The scattered geography of the islands has further complicated the deployment of emergency services, despite the arrival of three helicopters and a rescue vessel.
In response to the crisis, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that more than 3,500 military and police personnel have been deployed to the area. In Sikka regency, over 3,300 people have fled or are stranded, with many taking shelter in a local sports arena. Meanwhile, in Nagekeo, approximately 2,000 villagers have been moved to temporary shelters following the destruction of their homes. Local authorities have urged residents to avoid shorelines and damaged buildings as aftershocks continue.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at a depth of 10km, followed by 341 aftershocks. While the initial tsunami warning has been lifted, authorities in northern areas have ordered further evacuations. The event recalls the devastating 1992 earthquake and tsunami on Flores Island, which killed more than 2,500 people. Indonesia, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, remains one of the world’s most seismically active nations, with this event marking one of the deadliest quakes in recent years.
