A powerful earthquake struck the island of Flores in Indonesia on Saturday, leaving at least 47 people dead and hundreds more injured. The magnitude 7.7 quake, which occurred at 05:00 local time, had a depth of 15km and was felt by residents as far west as Bima Regency and City.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to free those trapped under the rubble, with aid being sent to the affected areas. Preliminary data shows that 24 fatalities had been recorded in Manggarai province, while 17 deaths were recorded in East Manggarai province. At least two others had been seriously injured and 11 slightly injured.
The area is mountainous and the assessment will take time, officials say. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that 10,500 packages have arrived at the base operations so far. The BNPB also advised people to remain calm and to stay away from coastal areas and structures showing signs of damage.
Destruction and Devastation
Preliminary reports indicate hundreds of buildings have been severely damaged by the quake and the dozens of aftershocks that followed. At least 150 houses had been severely damaged, as well as dozens of educational institutions, a number of healthcare facilities, places of worship, offices, and several other public facilities. Video taken at the port in Maumere – the largest town in Flores – showed large chunks of concrete breaking off the terminal building onto passengers waiting to board an inter-island ferry.
Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, told a news conference that many people had already fled into the hills because the sea had also receded. Arnold Welianto, who lives in Talibura, a village near the coastline in Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara, said he was startled awake and immediately went to his child's room.
Assessing the Damage
It will take time to assess the full extent of the destruction in the region, which is remote and mountainous. Landslides have blocked access to some villages, but the experienced rescue teams are working to free those trapped under the rubble. In Ruteng, a temporary medical tent was also assembled outside of a hospital to treat earthquake victims.
Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, lying along the meeting point of three major tectonic plates. The country's location on the "ring of fire" makes it susceptible to powerful quakes and tsunamis. The ongoing advice from BNPB is for people to remain calm and to stay away from coastal areas and structures showing signs of damage.
Next Steps
The full scale of the disaster is still unclear, and rescue efforts will continue in the coming days. The government has promised to provide aid to those affected, but it will take time to assess the full extent of the damage. As the people of Indonesia come to terms with the aftermath of the earthquake, the international community will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
Source: Joy Online
