Dompet Dhuafa deploys team to survey areas affected by M7.7 earthquake in NTT

Dompet Dhuafa has sent a team to survey areas affected by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake centred in Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Several areas have already been surveyed, including Nagekeo/Mbay, Sikka, West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Ende, Alor, Lembata, and other areas still under monitoring.

“The team began moving from the LKC (Free Health Services) to the Dompet Dhuafa Disaster Management Center (DMC) team from this morning to help, respond to and handle communities affected by today’s earthquake,” said Ahmad Juwaini, Chairman of the Dompet Dhuafa Foundation Board, in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.

One DMC team member, Muhidur, explained that one of the buildings affected was the Al Istiqomah Ronting Mosque, commonly known as the Red and White Dome Mosque, in Lemba District, East Manggarai.

“This is the situation after the M7.7 earthquake: the mosque collapsed and is almost level with the ground. This illustrates the devastating impact of the earthquake. Sea water rose as far as the shoreline,” said Muhidur.

State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that the government is carrying out a rapid emergency response following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake.

The State Secretary said President Prabowo Subianto has received the latest reports and developments after the earthquake occurred in Nagekeo Regency, NTT, on Saturday at around 04.58 WIB.

He confirmed that coordination has been carried out with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno, and the Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Mohammad Syafii, who is reported to be heading to the affected area today.

“All of us, both the central government and regional governments and all relevant ranks, including the TNI and Polri, are taking mitigation measures, taking rapid steps, rapid emergency response, especially immediately addressing the situation in the early stages of the incident,” said Prasetyo Hadi.