Indonesian authorities reported on Sunday 53 dead following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit the island of Flores on Saturday, according to Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency. At least 135 people were injured and rescue teams continue search operations.
Provincial governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena said that "the impact has been significant" and that "many citizens have died or been injured; homes and public facilities have suffered damage; and community activities have been disrupted". Authorities are focusing on search and evacuation of victims, health services, supply of essential items and restoration of infrastructure.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 6.00 a.m. on Saturday with its epicentre some 62 kilometres northwest of Ende, the most populous city in Flores. More than 5,000 residents remain displaced. The Local Disaster Management Agency counted 914 homes with severe damage, 126 with moderate damage and 317 with minor damage, as well as more than one hundred public facilities affected including 93 schools, 36 health centres and 38 government offices.
The quake was followed by approximately 341 aftershocks and represents the deadliest earthquake Indonesia has experienced since a 2022 earthquake in West Java that caused hundreds of deaths. More than 3,500 military personnel and police officers have been deployed to the region, according to the Secretary of the Council of Ministers, Teddy Indra Wijaya. The government of East Nusa Tenggara is considering declaring a state of emergency in the province to mobilise resources and funds.