Basarnas Deploys 40 Additional Medical Personnel to Support Health Services for NTT Earthquake Victims

Director of Operations at Basarnas, Bramantyo, has confirmed that his agency is continuing to sweep affected areas while strengthening health service support in several parts of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) that have been severely impacted by the earthquake and are difficult to reach, including the Lamba Leda region.

He reported that 40 medical personnel from Kodam IX/Udayana, together with volunteers, have been deployed from Kupang to Reo in Manggarai Regency using a Basarnas aircraft.

Basarnas is also operating helicopters to support health services in Lamba Leda. Bramantyo said that in two flights, the team did not only transport health workers.

“But also evacuated eight residents to Labuan Bajo to receive further treatment at hospital,” said Bramantyo during a press teleconference on Tuesday, 18 August 2026.

On the same occasion, Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Berton SP Panjaitan, said that aftershock activity is still showing fluctuating conditions.

His agency recorded that as of Tuesday, 18 August 2026, there had been 24 aftershocks, seven of which were felt by the public.

“Seismic activity is still fluctuating, and the decay pattern is not yet clearly visible. It is estimated that conditions will begin to stabilise within the next two to three weeks,” said Berton.

With no reports of victims still being searched for, Basarnas operations in the next phase are directed at sweeping affected areas and strengthening humanitarian support, particularly for health services.

It is known that Bramantyo had previously reported that as of the third day, Monday, 17 August 2026 at 23.30, the total number of victims in the earthquake disaster in East Nusa Tenggara Province had reached 202 people.

“It was recorded that 70 people died, 132 people were injured, with 40 seriously injured and 92 lightly injured,” said Bramantyo.

He also expressed his condolences for the victims who lost their lives.

“We would like to express our condolences for the earthquake disaster experienced by our brothers and sisters in East Nusa Tenggara,” he said.