Central Government Stands Ready to Assist with NTT Earthquake Response

The central government has stated that it is standing by with assistance should it be needed at any time to support the handling of areas affected by the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Saturday (15/8).

This was conveyed by Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi. He said that reports regarding the earthquake have also been submitted to President Prabowo Subianto.

“First of all, we would like to express our deepest condolences regarding the reports we have received of several fatalities caused by the earthquake,” said Pras in his statement, Saturday (15/8).

The government has also immediately coordinated with a number of relevant parties, such as the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Menko PMK), the Head of Basarnas, and the Head of BMKG.

Pras said that BMKG had issued an early warning regarding the potential for a tsunami after the earthquake occurred, but that warning has now been lifted.

“Indeed, in some places there was a rise in water levels, but it was still not very significant,” he said.

Pras added that the central government has also coordinated with the Governor of NTT to ensure that mitigation measures and emergency handling are carried out swiftly.

“Both the central government and regional governments, as well as all relevant ranks, including the TNI and Polri, are carrying out mitigation measures and rapid emergency response actions, especially to immediately address the situation in the early stages of the incident,” he said.

Furthermore, Pras said there have been a number of reports of building damage caused by the earthquake, one of which is in the port area of Maumere.

“It has been reported that some people are still in the rubble, and several buildings, including the port in Maumere, have collapsed, and there are also several offices that have collapsed,” he explained.

He requested that all locations that have suffered damage be inspected immediately to ascertain the condition of the public and to rescue any victims who may be trapped under the rubble.

“We are also standing by at Halim should assistance from the central government be needed at any time; we are ready and prepared,” he concluded.