Death Toll Rises in Indonesia Earthquake, Thousands Await Aid
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island, with rescuers still searching for survivors under the rubble.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores Island, with rescuers still searching for survivors under the rubble.
At least 53 people have died in a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia, specifically the island of Flores. Thousands of evacuees were awaiting aid on Sunday, a day after the disaster that injured dozens and damaged hundreds of buildings. According to multiple international media outlets, including the BBC and Reforma, the death toll has reached 53, while some sources, such as TRT World and Russia's TASS agency, report 51 casualties.
According to Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, spokesperson for the national disaster management agency, nearly five thousand people were forced to flee their homes. The main quake was followed by as many as 341 aftershocks, further complicating rescue efforts on the ground. Reforma (MX) reports that around 5,000 people have been evacuated, which aligns with data from other sources.
Russia's state agency TASS, citing the AP, reports that over 900 buildings have been completely destroyed, with around 450 damaged. In some areas, residents are without electricity and telecommunications, and at least one access road for emergency services remains impassable. Patients are being treated in tents as the earthquake damaged the local hospital, according to Al Jazeera.
German public broadcaster Tagesschau reports that thousands of soldiers and police officers have been deployed to the disaster zone to assist in search and rescue operations. Aftershocks are hampering their efforts, and rescuers continue to comb through the rubble for survivors. According to data relayed by TASS English, more than 100 people have been injured in the earthquake.
Sources differ on the exact date of the quake: HRT and Glas Istre cite August 16, 2026, while TRT World mentions August 15, 2026, as the day the earthquake struck eastern Indonesia. A day after the disaster, thousands of evacuees are still waiting for aid. Indonesia sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense seismic activity, making earthquakes frequent in the region.
There is no official information yet on the scale of international aid, but local authorities are coordinating efforts with emergency services. The key priority is establishing access to cut-off areas and providing essential supplies to thousands of displaced people. The exact number of casualties could rise as rescuers reach hard-to-access areas.
