7.7-magnitude quake in Nagekeo caused damage to buildings in Bima

The 15-km-deep quake was centered offshore about 30 Km northeast of Nagekeo District in East Nusa Tenggara Province at 4:58 a.m. Western Indonesia time (WIB).

Head of BPBD in NTB, Sadimin, said here on Saturday that reported damage in Bima City included a moderately damaged house in South Rabangodu village.

Furthermore, a cracked wall at a State Logistics Agency (Bulog) warehouse caused several sacks of rice to fall, while the ceiling of the Mutmainnah Hotel’s mosque also sustained damage.

Meanwhile, the earthquake caused minor damage in Bima District, specifically wall cracks at the Lambitu Sub-district Office. Sadimin added his agency has also received multiple reports of minor damage to residents’ homes.

Related news: Kupang to Flores flights cancelled following earthquake

The provincial mitigation agency is coordinating with local disaster agencies in Bima District and Bima City, as well as other relevant stakeholders, to assess the full scale of the earthquake’s impact.

Rapid Response Teams (TRC) have been deployed to collect data and verify the extent of the damage on the ground. Sadimin noted the general condition of the public facilities remains under observation, with data collection ongoing to identify any further damage.

He appealed to the residents to remain calm and avoid being swayed by unverified information. Residents were also urged to steer clear of cracked or structurally compromised buildings and to remain vigilant against potential aftershocks.

Sadimin said there is an urgent need for logistical support for affected residents. Priority relief items include ready-to-eat meals, mineral water, blankets, tarpaulins, sleeping mats, and family emergency kits.

Related news: East Nusa Tenggara’squake death toll hits 14, BNPB says

Related news: 7.7-magnitude quake in Indonesia linked to Flores fault: BMKG

Translator: Sugiharto Purnama, Uyu Liman