Death Toll from NTT Earthquake Rises to 54

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that the death toll from the earthquake in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) now stands at 54 people, with data on injuries still being collected dynamically.

Head of BNPB Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto outlined the readiness strategy and deployment of logistics resources and response fleets for the earthquake in NTT. He said the National Command Post for the NTT earthquake response is located at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta.

Suharyanto said the National Command Post has received and distributed logistics assistance, including 50,000 aid packages from President Prabowo Subianto. The aid is being channelled to two main command posts in NTT, namely the Labuan Bajo Command Post and the Maumere Command Post.

“Logistics from the main Labuan Bajo command post are deployed to serve the areas of West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Ngada. Meanwhile, the Maumere Command Post serves Sikka, Ende, and Nagekeo Regencies,” said Suharyanto in his statement on Monday (17/8/2026).

To overcome geographical obstacles and reach isolated areas, BNPB together with joint elements has deployed land, sea, and air fleets to maximum capacity. On the air route, six aircraft are on standby in Labuan Bajo and five aircraft in Maumere, including support helicopters for emergency medical evacuation.

Meanwhile, on the land route, large logistics trucks have been mobilised at main distribution points, supported by the operation of Pelni ships and ferries on sea routes to island areas such as Palue Island.

Regarding disaster impact data, Suharyanto confirmed that the number of fatalities recorded as of today is 54 people. He also instructed local governments to carry out damage assessments in parallel and in stages without having to wait for data to be 100 percent complete, so that repair interventions can be executed immediately.

“Data collection on damaged community houses, whether lightly, moderately, or heavily damaged, is our top priority. Damage to public facilities such as the regent’s office is the next priority after residents’ housing needs are met,” said Suharyanto.

“Data collection does not need to wait for everything to be completed; as soon as valid data comes in, repairs are immediately processed so that handling can proceed more quickly,” he added.