Palace Confirms Full Attention and Readiness for M7 Earthquake in NTT

State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi has assured that the government is giving attention and maintaining readiness in handling the impact of the magnitude 7 earthquake that shook the Flores region, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Saturday morning (15/8).

Prasetyo said he has been coordinating with a number of relevant parties since the earthquake occurred to ensure all government elements are prepared to handle conditions in the affected areas.

“Since this morning I have coordinated with the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, the Head of Basarnas, BMKG, BNPB and the Governor of NTT to ensure the attention and readiness of all elements in the early stages of this incident,” Prasetyo told reporters on Saturday (15/8).

He also urged the public to pray for the residents of NTT affected by the earthquake.

“Let us send prayers for our brothers and sisters in NTT who experienced a very strong earthquake this morning,” he said.

The M7 earthquake previously shook the Flores region, NTT on Saturday (15/8) at 04.58 WIB. BMKG recorded the epicentre of the earthquake in the Flores region, about 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay-Nagekeo, at a depth of 15 kilometres.

Head of BMKG West Manggarai Maria Patrica Seran previously said the earthquake had the potential to trigger a tsunami and aftershocks.

The earthquake also caused damage to a number of buildings and public facilities in Labuan Bajo. Hotel Jayakarta was reported to have suffered damage to the lobby, walls, and a number of tables and chairs. Several public facilities such as churches, hospitals and schools also suffered minor damage.

BMKG later ended the early tsunami warning after sea level monitoring results showed there was no longer a dangerous tsunami threat.

Director of Earthquake and Tsunami Information at BMKG Wijayanto said the public still needs to remain vigilant because aftershocks can still occur after the main earthquake of magnitude 7.7.

Up to about two hours after the main earthquake, BMKG had monitored around 37 aftershock activities, including one earthquake felt at a strength of about M6.2.

Wijayanto explained that the earthquake was related to the activity of a back arc thrust fault known as the Flores Back Arc Thrust.

BMKG estimates that aftershock activity could last for several days to weeks, although the intensity is expected to continue to decline.