NTT Earthquake Update: Death Toll Rises to 54, Recovery Accelerated
The number of fatalities in the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) earthquake has increased to 54 people based on the latest data as of Monday (17/8). The government is working to accelerate recovery efforts.
Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto said that based on updated disaster impact data, the death toll as of today stands at 54. Data collection on injuries is still ongoing and dynamic.
Suharyanto instructed local governments to collect damage data in parallel and in stages, by name and by address, without waiting for the data to be 100 per cent complete, so that repair interventions can be executed immediately.
“Data collection on damaged residential houses, whether lightly, moderately, or heavily damaged, is our top priority. Damage to public facilities such as the regent’s office is the next priority after residential needs are met,” Suharyanto said in an official statement on Monday (17/8).
“Data collection does not need to wait for everything to be completed; as soon as valid data comes in, repairs will be processed immediately so that handling can proceed more quickly,” he added.
Suharyanto outlined the readiness of strategies and the deployment of logistical resources and field handling fleets. He said the National Command Post at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta has received and distributed logistical aid, including 50,000 basic food packages from the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
The aid was forwarded to two main command posts in NTT, namely the Labuan Bajo Command Post and the Maumere Command Post.
Logistics from the Labuan Bajo Main Command Post were deployed to serve the areas of West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Ngada. Meanwhile, the Maumere Command Post serves Sikka, Ende, and Nagekeo Regencies.
BNPB has also placed land, sea, and air fleets on maximum standby to reach isolated areas. On the air route, BNPB together with joint elements has readied six aircraft in Labuan Bajo and five aircraft in Maumere, including support helicopters for emergency medical evacuation.
Regarding land routes, large logistics trucks have been mobilised at main distribution points, supported by the operation of Pelni ships and ferries on sea routes to island areas such as Palue Island.
Meanwhile, a number of ministers from President Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Cabinet and heads of agencies attended the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia ceremony at the earthquake-affected location, specifically at Motang Rua Field, Ruteng, Manggarai Regency, NTT.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stressed that since the first day after the earthquake struck Flores, NTT, the central government has been on site. This reflects the government’s concern and commitment to accompanying the affected communities.
“Since the first day of the incident, we have been in NTT to inspect the field and discuss accelerating recovery,” Pratikno said after attending the ceremony in Ruteng on Monday (17/8).
Pratikno explained that emergency handling is being carried out comprehensively and in an integrated manner at various affected points. Government officials have divided tasks to sweep areas requiring rapid assistance, such as the movement of logistical aid to Reo District in Manggarai and isolated areas in Palue District, Sikka Regency.
Intensive coordination also continues with the House of Representatives Task Force and relevant ministries and agencies, both offline and online via video conference, to ensure the emergency response period runs effectively.