NTT Earthquake Update: More Than 5,000 Residents Displaced
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has recorded more than 5,000 residents displaced by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Saturday (15/8). Based on BNPB data as of Sunday (16/8) at 00:00 WIB, the largest concentration of evacuees in NTT is currently in Sikka Regency with a total of 3,356 people. They are spread across the Samador Sports Hall with 1,356 people and 2,000 people sheltering independently at 10 evacuation points. In Manggarai Regency, the number of evacuees has reached 2,078 people. Hundreds of other evacuees have also been reported staying in Nagekeo with 500 people and in two areas in different provinces, namely Bima and the Selayar Islands.
Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, Berton SP Panjaitan, said that fulfilling basic rights and logistics at evacuation sites is now one of the emergency response priorities. “The survivors, particularly in Manggarai Regency, urgently need assistance in the form of dozens of emergency tents, 30 tonnes of rice, medicines, 1,000 blankets, 1,000 camp beds, 1,000 mats, clean water supplies (tanks), and generators,” said Berton in a written statement.
The earthquake, which has been followed by 341 aftershocks, triggered significant destruction. The disaster claimed the lives of 47 people, with the highest number of fatalities in Manggarai Regency at 23 and East Manggarai at 17. Other fatalities were spread across Sikka Regency with 4, West Manggarai with 1, Ende with 1, and Nagekeo with 1. At least 101 residents were reported injured with varying degrees of severity.
In addition to the loss of life, the earthquake centred at sea caused material losses that have paralysed residents’ activities. Preliminary data in the NTT region recorded 914 houses with severe damage, 126 with moderate damage, and 317 with minor damage. Severe damage also affected dozens of public facilities, including 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices.
Responding to the escalation of the disaster, the NTT Provincial Government is processing a decree to establish an emergency response status for the next 14 days. Similar measures have also been officially taken at the affected regency and city levels. Manggarai Regency has declared a Disaster Emergency Response status for 90 days (15 August–13 November 2026) through Regent Decree No. 319 of 2026, followed by the establishment of a command post through Decree No. 320 of 2026. Ngada Regency has imposed a Disaster Emergency Response period and command post establishment for 30 days (15 August–15 September 2026) through Regent Decrees No. 441 and No. 442/KEP/HK/2026. East Manggarai Regency has also declared a Disaster Alert status until 4 September 2026 through Regent Decree No. HK/141 of 2026.
Meanwhile, joint teams and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) remain on standby sweeping locations to conduct further data collection and verification. To support emergency medical services, a field hospital has been established and is operating in Reok District, Manggarai Regency. Regarding logistics mobility and evacuation access, the Larantuka–Maumere overland route is reported to be connected and passable. However, response teams are still working to find alternative routes as the land road connecting Ende and Nagekeo remains cut off due to the earthquake.