Home / Disasters and Accidents / Eastern Indonesia Devastated by 7.7 Quake: 51 Dead, Roads Blocked
Eastern Indonesia Devastated by 7.7 Quake: 51 Dead, Roads Blocked
16 Aug
Summary
- Magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
- Over 5,000 people evacuated due to the powerful seismic event.
- At least 51 fatalities confirmed, with significant damage reported.
A devastating magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, prompting the evacuation of around 5,000 people. The seismic activity in East Nusa Tenggara province has claimed at least 51 lives and caused significant destruction, including blocked roads and landslides.
Authorities reported 36 serious injuries and 77 minor injuries following the quake, which was followed by hundreds of aftershocks. The disaster mitigation agency confirmed that over 3,300 individuals in the Sikka region were displaced or stranded. Rescue efforts are underway in areas affected by landslides, with many missing persons believed to be trapped under rubble.
More than 1,300 homes have been damaged, and power outages have affected 20 petrol stations. The provincial government is considering declaring a state of emergency to mobilize additional resources. This region was previously hit by a severe earthquake in 1992, highlighting its seismic vulnerability.
