TNI-Polri Evacuate Patients from Two Labuan Bajo Hospitals to Emergency Tents

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday (15/8) at 05.58 Wita.

The strong tremor caused a number of buildings to sustain damage, with some collapsing. Among those affected were hospitals in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai.

As a precaution against aftershocks, the relevant authorities took emergency response measures by evacuating patients to emergency tents in open areas. The evacuation of dozens of inpatients was assisted by joint TNI-Polri personnel.

At least 80 personnel from the West Manggarai Police, Brimob Pioneer Battalion B of the East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police, and the Labuan Bajo Naval Base were deployed from 06.30 Wita.

They erected three emergency tents in the courtyard of Siloam Hospital and one emergency medical tent in the courtyard of Komodo Regional General Hospital, complete with first aid equipment, ambulances, and folding beds.

West Manggarai Police Chief AKBP Christian Kadang stressed that the evacuation was carried out for the safety of patients given the potential for aftershocks and the risk of structural cracks in hospital buildings.

“The safety of patients’ lives is the highest priority. Although the situation is beginning to come under control, we must not ignore the potential risk of aftershocks as well as cracks in building structures. Moving treatment to open areas is the safest mitigation measure at this time,” Christian said while leading the response on the ground.

The process of moving patients from inpatient wards in multi-storey buildings was carried out carefully to avoid causing additional injuries or psychological trauma.

As of Saturday afternoon, the entire evacuation was proceeding safely and in an orderly manner, with patients continuing to receive ongoing medical care under the emergency tents.

One family member of a patient at Siloam Hospital, Maria (38), recounted the panic that occurred when the major earthquake shook the area.

“When the earthquake occurred this morning, we panicked because we were on an upper floor of the building. However, police and TNI officers arrived very quickly to help carry patients down to the courtyard. The presence of these emergency tents makes us feel much safer,” she told CNNIndonesia.com on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to handling health facilities, a joint team from the regional government and police is now assessing damage to infrastructure and residential areas.

The Samapta Unit and Public Relations Section of the West Manggarai Police are also intensifying dialogue patrols to maintain public security and order.

The police chief also urged residents to remain calm, not to be easily influenced by hoaxes, and to monitor official information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the regional government.

“If you feel an aftershock, immediately go out to a safe open area,” Christian urged.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto said that as of Saturday afternoon at 15.00 WIB, 38 people had been recorded as having died as a result of the East Nusa Tenggara earthquake.

“The death toll as of 15.00 today is recorded at 38 people,” Suharyanto said during an online press conference in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon.

In addition, two people suffered serious injuries and 11 others sustained minor injuries. Furthermore, approximately 2,000 people have evacuated independently.

His agency also recorded that several roads had suffered landslides due to the earthquake, and dozens of residents’ homes sustained heavy, moderate, and light damage.

As for health facilities, one hospital in Maumere was recorded as having sustained damage, and many community health centres were damaged.

Meanwhile, five airports were affected.

“There are five airports affected, but not the runways. The damage affected terminal buildings at five airports, whether it will be classified as light, moderate, or heavy damage,” he said.

As for ports, two were affected: Reo Port and Maumere Port.

On that occasion, Suharyanto said that 31 aftershocks had occurred on Saturday following the main 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara.

“The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has provided information that as of 15.00 today, 31 aftershocks have occurred,” Suharyanto said.

Of the 31 aftershocks, four were recorded as having a fairly significant magnitude, above M 5.0.