European Union ready to deploy satellite system to help Indonesia handle NTT earthquake

The European Union (EU) is ready to assist Indonesia in search and rescue operations for earthquake victims through the deployment of the Copernicus satellite system, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “From solidarity to action, Europe is always ready to deploy Copernicus, our eyes in the sky, to support search and rescue efforts. Indonesia, we stand with you,” Von der Leyen said via social media platform X on Saturday. A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 struck the eastern coast of Indonesia on Friday night (14/8). According to rescue services, at least 20 people were killed by the earthquake. Dozens of others were injured and rescue operations are continuing to evacuate victims buried under rubble. A small tsunami with a height of under 1 metre was recorded after the earthquake. Local authorities also issued a tsunami warning, although it was later lifted. Landslides, infrastructure damage, and communication disruptions caused by the earthquake were reported to have made the rescue process more complicated. Copernicus is the European Union’s Earth observation system. In emergency situations, its satellite data can be used for rapid mapping of affected areas and to support rescue operations.