Death Toll from NTT Earthquake Rises to 71

The death toll from the devastating earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) has risen by one person, bringing the total number of fatalities to 71. “The number of victims has increased by one to 71 (deaths), namely in Nagekeo Regency,” said Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, Acting Head of the Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), during a press conference on Wednesday (19/8/2026).

Berton said the BNPB extended its condolences over the deaths of the NTT earthquake victims. “We, the entire government as well as ministries and agencies, express our deepest condolences over the passing of our family members who are currently in evacuation sites and affected areas in NTT,” said Berton.

Aftershocks continue to occur in NTT following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck several days ago. BMKG has recorded 3,002 aftershocks. “(Update) as of 19 August 2026 at 14.00, BMKG monitoring results show 3,002 aftershock activities with magnitudes ranging from 1.1 to 6.2,” said Nelly Florida Riama, Deputy for Geophysics at BMKG.

Nelly said 86 of these aftershocks were reported to have been felt by the public. Additionally, 25 aftershocks had a magnitude greater than 5. Nelly noted that the high number of aftershocks in NTT is part of the energy release process. She predicted that aftershocks in NTT would continue for several more days.

“The public needs to understand that these aftershocks are quite numerous because they are part of the earth’s crust adjustment process or energy release, so that a new equilibrium is achieved after the large main earthquake,” she added.