Flores Earthquake Update: 68 Dead and 213 Injured

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported updated data on the impact of the earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). As of Monday (17/8), 68 people have been recorded dead and 213 others injured.

Deputy for Prevention at BNPB, Abdul Muhari, revealed that the fatalities are spread across seven affected districts. Manggarai Regency recorded the highest number with 26 fatalities, followed by East Manggarai with 24 people.

“The data we have obtained so far is 68 lives, once again, 68 lives lost,” said Abdul during an online press conference on Monday (17/8).

BNPB together with the joint Basarnas team remains on standby in the seven districts to monitor the possibility of additional victims. Although not all areas have reported missing residents, the search process is still being carried out intensively.

Regarding basic infrastructure, electricity services on Flores Island have shown significant progress. All 11 transformers that were affected have now been restored. Of the total 566,797 PLN customers affected, 99.5% have regained access to electricity, while 2,732 other customers are still being handled.

In the telecommunications sector, PT Telkom reported that the network on Flores Island has recovered up to 95.4%. The current recovery focus is directed at East Manggarai Regency, where the recovery rate has only reached 76.3%.

Abdul Muhari also presented data on seismic activity following the main earthquake. To date, 1,576 aftershocks have been recorded. “There was one earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 and three other smaller magnitude earthquakes,” he added.

The Ministry of Health has taken swift action by sending two field hospitals to Ruteng (Manggarai Regency) and Nagekeo. In addition, two emergency medical teams (EMT) have been deployed to strengthen health services in Ende, Nagekeo, West Manggarai, and Sikka.

To accelerate handling on the ground, 1,467 joint personnel from the TNI, Polri, and related ministries/agencies have been deployed. The government is also operating 10 units of defence equipment and an air fleet to reach isolated areas.

“Five air fleet units are stationed in Labuan Bajo and five others are on standby in Maumere to accelerate the distribution of logistical aid,” concluded Abdul.