A 7.7-magnitude earthquake in eastern Indonesia has resulted in 53 deaths, while thousands of residents have been displaced from their damaged homes and are now staying in temporary shelters.
Foreign news agencies reported on Sunday, 16 Aug 2026, that the 7.7-magnitude earthquake which struck eastern Indonesia the previous Saturday has caused 53 deaths and more than 130 injuries, mostly broken bones. It is the strongest and deadliest earthquake in Indonesia since 2022.
Reports also stated that around 5,000 people have evacuated their homes. In the Sikka district, over 3,300 residents have relocated themselves to shelters such as sports stadiums or have set up temporary tents in front of their collapsed houses.
The earthquake triggered landslides, cutting off many roads and affecting the power supply. Officials have since restored almost all electricity, and authorities have declared a state of emergency in East Nusa Tenggara province to accelerate aid efforts.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported nearly 1,000 aftershocks following the main earthquake.
Meanwhile, rescue teams are clearing debris in heavily affected areas such as Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo districts in East Nusa Tenggara, searching for people who may be trapped. The government has deployed over 3,500 soldiers and police officers to assist in the disaster zone.
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Source:cna