Indonesia earthquake death toll rises to 51 as thousands evacuate after magnitude-7.7 tremor

A powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province (specifically impacting Flores island) on Saturday morning, leaving widespread damage, casualties, and displacement.

At least 51 people have been killed. Additionally, 36 people sustained serious injuries and 77 suffered minor injuries.

Around 5,000 people have been displaced or evacuated. More than 3,300 residents in the Sikka region self-evacuated or sought shelter in sports arenas and makeshift tarp tents due to fear of aftershocks and rising coastal tides.

The major tremor has been followed by over 340 aftershocks, keeping residents on edge and forcing many to sleep outdoors on porches or in temporary camps.

More than 1,300 homes have been damaged or destroyed.

As reported by local media, landslides blocked critical transport routes, temporarily cutting off access to parts of towns like Maumere, though rescue crews have since managed to reach isolated areas.

According to state energy firm Pertamina, power outages shut down at least 20 petrol stations.

Medical facilities, including a hospital in Maumere, were forced to set up tents outside to treat patients safely.

More than 3,500 military and police officers have been deployed to the affected regions to assist with search, rescue, and security operations.

Additionally, the East Nusa Tenggara government is considering declaring a broader provincial emergency to fast-track resource mobilization and emergency funding.

The disaster marks Indonesia's deadliest earthquake since a 2022 tremor in West Java as the region is historically prone to seismic activity, having experienced a devastating magnitude-7.5 earthquake back in 1992.