TNI Deploys 1,267 Personnel to Handle NTT Earthquake Impact
The TNI has deployed 1,267 personnel to assist in handling the impact of the earthquake in several areas of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday (15/8) afternoon.
The main earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.7, struck around 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, NTT, in the early hours of Saturday (15/8) Western Indonesia Time.
Following the earthquake, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami early warning for several areas, particularly NTT and the Selayar Islands in South Sulawesi.
The tsunami early warning has since been lifted, but BMKG reported that increased waves struck several coastal areas.
According to data from the TNI Information Centre (Puspen), 263 personnel were deployed in Sikka Regency, 105 in Ngada Regency, 400 in Nagekeo Regency, 120 in Ende Regency, 295 in Manggarai and East Manggarai Regencies, and 84 in West Manggarai Regency.
TNI personnel, together with Basarnas, BPBD, relevant agencies and the public, are conducting search and handling of disaster victims. They are also assisting with victim care and addressing the impact of damage in several affected areas.
In addition, the TNI is supporting the operation of command posts and field kitchens to meet the needs of communities affected by the earthquake.
In handling the disaster, the TNI has deployed 89 vehicles, erected 21 field tents, and prepared 120 camp beds.
The Indonesian Navy has also prepared a Bell 412 helicopter from Lanudal Juanda to support disaster response in the Flores region. The helicopter will be used, among other things, to assist with personnel mobility and the distribution of support to affected areas.
The deployment of personnel and primary weaponry systems is part of the TNI’s response in assisting communities affected by the disaster.
In a release received by CNNIndonesia.com, the TNI and related elements will continue to carry out integrated handling, including supporting the search, evacuation, and care of victims, as well as the recovery of affected communities and areas.
Meanwhile, as of Saturday at 12.30 Western Indonesia Time, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that 14 fatalities had been recorded in connection with the NTT earthquake.
In addition, two people were seriously injured and 11 others sustained minor injuries. However, the data is still being collected, verified and validated in the field.
“The temporary death toll is recorded as three people in Sikka Regency, six in Manggarai Regency and five in East Manggarai Regency. Meanwhile, injuries have been reported in Sikka Regency, Nagekeo Regency, Manggarai Regency and East Manggarai Regency,” said Berton Panjaitan, Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, in his statement on Saturday (15/8) afternoon.
He stressed that the casualty figures provided are still provisional and may change as verification and validation are carried out by BPBD and related parties. Berton said that any data developments will be conveyed based on official field data collection results.
In addition to the fatalities, around 2,000 residents have fled or self-evacuated following the strong tremors and the tsunami early warning issued after the main earthquake.