BNPB: Death toll from M7.7 earthquake reaches 47 by Saturday evening
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has released provisional data as of Saturday at 6.48 p.m. Western Indonesia Time showing that the total number of fatalities from the M7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara Province has reached 47 people.
Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, Berton SP Panjaitan, said in an official statement in Jakarta on Saturday that the fatalities were identified in Manggarai Regency with 24 people, East Manggarai (17), Sikka (3), Ngada (1), and Ende (1).
“In addition to these fatalities, officers have evacuated and provided medical treatment to the injured,” he said.
Regarding the number of damaged buildings, he said a total of 157 houses suffered severe damage, 41 houses sustained moderate damage, and 148 houses sustained minor damage.
Damage also occurred to public facilities, including 87 educational facilities, 18 health facilities, five places of worship, six offices, and a number of other public facilities.
A range of aid has been deployed through the logistics warehouse in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
“Meanwhile, from Jakarta, BNPB is also sending aid through the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force operations base. The total aid amounts to 50,000 packages weighing 275 tonnes. At present, 10,500 packages have arrived at the operations base, originating from the Cabinet Secretariat,” he said.
He said the earthquake tremors were also felt by residents of Bima Regency and Bima City in West Nusa Tenggara Province, and Selayar Islands Regency in South Sulawesi Province.
He explained that the situation in Bima Regency and Bima City is generally conducive. The Bima City Regional Disaster Management Agency is carrying out data collection and verification of the situation on the ground.
The BNPB Operations Control Centre received reports from the Selayar Islands, where the local disaster management agency has established evacuation posts in three locations.
“The evacuation sites are located in Pasirmarannu, Pasilambena and Takabonerate sub-districts,” said Berton SP Panjaitan.