Basarnas chief directly monitors Flores earthquake response
Kupang (ANTARA) - The head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, has arrived on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to directly monitor the handling of the aftermath of a magnitude 7.7 earthquake.
The head of the Maumere SAR Office, Fathur Rahman, who serves as SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), said on Sunday that the presence of the Basarnas chief was to ensure that SAR operations run optimally and that needs on the ground can be addressed promptly.
“The Basarnas chief and his entourage have arrived and are scheduled to inspect the affected areas in East Manggarai Regency,” Fathur said in Kupang on Sunday.
He said Basarnas has also placed a helicopter on standby at Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo to support air medical evacuations if needed.
“A Basarnas helicopter has also been placed on standby to support rapid air medical evacuation if required,” he said.
He said that in East Manggarai Regency, a joint SAR team comprising elements of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri) and members of the public evacuated a fisherman who was reported to have drowned when the earthquake struck.
The victim was found at 09.30 Central Indonesia Time in the waters off Waso Beach, Satar Kampas Village, Lamba Leda District, in a deceased condition.
Meanwhile, ground sweeps continued in Manggarai and Nagekeo regencies based on the second-day Operations Plan (RenOps).
The team conducted sweeps up to a radius of 6.3 kilometres, targeting Reo District in Manggarai Regency, as well as Mbay Urban Village, Tungurambang Village, Nangadhero Village and Marpokot Village in Nagekeo Regency.
No additional fatalities were found during these sweeps. The joint SAR team is still conducting searches and monitoring to ensure that no members of the public require assistance.
Based on data collection and factual verification as of Sunday (16/8) at 14.00 Central Indonesia Time, 51 people were recorded dead and 132 people suffered serious or minor injuries.
Thus, the total number of affected victims recorded has reached 183 people.
Fathur said the data remains dynamic and will be updated regularly through coordination with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and SAR potential elements.
Search and rescue operations will continue, adjusting to developments in the situation and the results of evaluations on the ground.