NTT Earthquake: BNPB Reports Hundreds of Damaged Homes
The government is accelerating its handling of the impact of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that shook East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The move follows the President’s directive for the government to directly identify community needs so that support and assistance can be provided. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded that damaged buildings number in the hundreds, comprising 154 severely damaged homes, 49 moderately damaged homes, and 38 lightly damaged homes.
BNPB Deputy for Prevention Abdul Muhari said the damaged homes are spread across Nagekeo, Manggarai, East Manggarai, and West Manggarai. In Nagekeo, there are two severely damaged homes, one moderately damaged, and two lightly damaged. Manggarai recorded 29 severely damaged homes, nine moderately damaged, and nine lightly damaged.
“In East Manggarai, there are 54 severely damaged homes, 11 moderately damaged, and 11 lightly damaged. Meanwhile, West Manggarai recorded 69 severely damaged homes, 30 moderately damaged, and 16 lightly damaged,” he said during an online press conference on the handling of the M7.7 earthquake in NTT on Sunday (16/8).
He noted that the damage data is still provisional. On the first day, recording was generally based on reports and visual observations. Entering the second day, government teams began going directly to the field to conduct verification and validation in affected areas.
The government is also strengthening aid distribution, activating logistics posts in Jakarta, Labuan Bajo, and Maumere. These posts are prepared to receive and manage the distribution of aid from the government, the public, humanitarian organisations, and other parties.
The main emergency response control post is located at the West Manggarai Regent’s Office building, with a tactical field post in Maumere. As of Sunday (16/8) at 5:00 p.m. WITA, 53 people were recorded dead and 135 others injured.
“We have recorded 53 fatalities, with details as follows: West Manggarai Regency one person, East Manggarai 20 people, Manggarai 25 people, Nagekeo one person, and Ende two people. We pray for the best for the victims and express our deepest sympathy to the bereaved families,” he said.
In addition, 135 injured victims are currently receiving treatment at health facilities, namely 12 people in Sikka, 37 people in Manggarai consisting of 17 seriously injured and 20 lightly injured, 80 people in East Manggarai consisting of 21 seriously injured and 59 lightly injured, and six seriously injured people in West Manggarai.
According to Abdul Muhari, as of the second day of handling, Basarnas has not received any reports of missing residents or anyone on a search list. Basarnas personnel remain on standby in Manggarai, East Manggarai, West Manggarai, and other affected areas to ensure a rapid response whenever needed.
He said the government has divided teams to accelerate handling on the ground. The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture and the Head of BNPB are in Manggarai Regency to directly observe emergency handling, identify obstacles, and find solutions that can be implemented immediately.
The Minister of Home Affairs and the Head of Basarnas are heading to East Manggarai, the Minister of Public Works to Ende, while the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and the Deputy Minister of Health are going to other affected areas.