Earthquake kills 54, displaces 12,800 in Indonesia

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake has killed 54 people and injured more than 100 others in eastern Indonesia, while about 12,800 residents have been displaced from their homes on Flores Island.

The earthquake struck early on Saturday, with affected residents taking shelter at schools, police stations, government offices and makeshift camps as they remain fearful of returning to damaged homes.

Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, spokesman for Indonesia’s national disaster agency, BNPB, said the number of people unable to return home had risen to 12,800 by Monday morning.

The geological agency, BMKG, reported that more than 1,600 aftershocks had been recorded since the initial earthquake, with many residents preparing to spend a third night outdoors.

The epicentre of the shallow earthquake was located just off the northern coast of Flores, according to geological authorities.

At least 914 houses were severely damaged, while hundreds of others sustained lesser damage. Several public buildings, including schools, health facilities and government offices, were also affected.

Residents in Mbay, the town closest to the epicentre, told AFP that many homes had collapsed or developed dangerous cracks, forcing families to sleep in makeshift tents.

The Indonesian Air Force said it was deploying two Hercules aircraft and a Boeing aircraft to deliver 13 tonnes of emergency supplies to affected communities.

The supplies include food, clothing, clean water and emergency medical equipment, while helicopters are also being deployed to reach isolated communities.

The military has deployed personnel to assist with the distribution of relief materials.

Rescue teams were also continuing search operations, although officials said there had been no reports of missing persons.

Save the Children said more than 8,000 children were facing safety risks and disruptions to their education as a result of the earthquake.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an area of intense seismic activity.

A similar 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores in 1992, triggering a tsunami that killed about 2,500 people.

The latest disaster has overshadowed Indonesia’s Independence Day celebrations in the capital, Jakarta, as thousands of affected residents await further assistance.