Flores M 7.7 Earthquake SAR Operation Officially Closed, Here is Why

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) closed the M 7.7 Flores Earthquake SAR Operation on Saturday (12/09/2026) at 18:00 WITA. This closure also marks the end of the emergency response period, which had been extended from 29 August to 12 September 2026.

The Head of the Maumere SAR Office, acting as the SAR Mission Coordinator (SMC), Fathur Rahman, stated that the decision was made after considering the decline in aftershock activity and the change in disaster management status in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) towards a recovery transition phase.

“The 7.7 SR Earthquake SAR Operation is officially closed today, 12 September 2026, coinciding with the end of the emergency response extension from 29 August to 12 September 2026,” said Fathur, representing the Head of Basarnas, Air Marshal Muhammad Syafii.

Basarnas, along with the Joint SAR Team, has been conducting operations since the first day of the earthquake on 15 August 2026. The operation involved the TNI-Polri (Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police), local governments, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), volunteers, and various other SAR resources.

The joint team carried out searches, assistance, and evacuations of victims in several affected areas. Basarnas also deployed Dauphin helicopters to support medical evacuations and mobilisation during victim handling. Fathur emphasised that the closure of the operation does not eliminate the possibility of reopening if required.

“If there are requests for evacuation or the discovery of victims in the future, the Flores Earthquake SAR Operation will be reopened according to the needs and conditions on the ground,” he said.

He expressed his appreciation to the entire Joint SAR Team for their dedication and synergy during the operation. “The synergy of the Joint SAR Team is a tangible manifestation of the unity of all SAR elements in carrying out this humanitarian mission,” he concluded.