Basarnas Chief Visits Earthquake Evacuees in East Manggarai
The head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii, together with Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian, visited the evacuation post in Ronting Village, North Lamba Leda, East Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on the third day of SAR operations, Monday (17/8/2026).
As of 3.00 pm local time today, 187 people have been recorded as victims of the Flores earthquake, with 55 confirmed dead and 132 injured.
East Manggarai is one of the areas hit hardest by the magnitude 7.7 Flores earthquake on Saturday (15/8/2026). Twenty-four people died in the area, with 25 seriously injured and 59 suffering minor injuries.
“East Manggarai is one of the areas quite severely affected by the earthquake. We continue to ensure that search and rescue operations run optimally to help the affected communities,” Syafii said in a statement.
While at the post, Syafii gave guidance and encouragement to residents. He urged them to remain vigilant and avoid buildings at risk of collapse, as aftershocks remain possible.
He also called on residents to help and support one another in facing the post-earthquake situation. According to him, cooperation between the government, SAR personnel and the public is essential for disaster response to proceed smoothly.
In addition to visiting the evacuation post, Syafii accompanied Tito to the SAR post in East Manggarai. On that occasion, he affirmed Basarnas’ commitment to providing 24-hour search and rescue services in affected areas.
On the third day of SAR operations, Basarnas deployed 119 personnel across several affected areas. Eleven personnel were stationed in Nagekeo Regency, five in Ende, twelve in East Manggarai, plus fourteen from the central team.
Furthermore, 21 personnel were deployed to Sikka, nine to West Manggarai with an additional 23 from the central team, and 17 to Manggarai, particularly the Reo area, together with the crew of KN SAR 250. In addition, seven crew members of helicopter HR 3604 supported the SAR operations.
Overall, the earthquake response involves 711 personnel from various agencies, including the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Ministry of Transportation, Pelindo, Pelni, local governments and local communities.
The Maumere SAR Office, together with SAR resources, continues to conduct search, rescue, evacuation and monitoring in several affected areas. The deployment of personnel and supporting facilities is being coordinated to ensure effective and optimal handling of affected communities.
“Basarnas ensures the readiness of personnel and supporting facilities is maintained throughout the operation, with the primary priority being the safety and rescue of communities affected by the earthquake,” Syafii said.