Navy mobilizes ships, helicopters for NTT earthquake aid

The mobilization of naval assets has been underway since the disaster struck the province on August 15, 2026, Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service Rear Admiral Tunggul said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Tunggul explained that the naval assets were being deployed in stages to cover multiple affected areas across the province.

The hospital ship KRI Dr. Soeharso-990 was dispatched to Reo, Manggarai, carrying 217 Marine Corps personnel, a medical team from the Indonesian Navy Health Center (Puskesal), a field hospital, heavy equipment including bulldozers and excavators, as well as dozens of tons of food and clothing.

“Meanwhile, KRI Hiu-634 was sent to deliver relief supplies to Riung Island through a joint initiative involving Bank Indonesia, Moro Saka AAL 42, and the Indonesian Surgeons Association,” Tunggul said.

To support regional logistics distribution, KRI Bung Hatta-370 has been stationed at Reo Pier in Manggarai.

Two landing ship tanks, KRI Teluk Parigi-539 and KRI Teluk Celukan Bawang-532, transported dozens of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) trucks and 22 tons of relief supplies from Surabaya to Jakarta. The supplies were subsequently airlifted to NTT by Indonesian Air Force transport aircraft.

For deliveries to remote areas, the Navy deployed two Bell 412 helicopters, HU-4206 and HU-4205, to airlift staple food supplies along the Labuan Bajo-Ende-Reo route.

Tunggul assured that Indonesian Navy personnel and equipment would remain stationed in East Nusa Tenggara until recovery efforts were completed and conditions in the affected areas had stabilized.

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Translator: Walda Marison, Yashinta Difa