Rescuers in eastern Indonesia continued searching collapsed buildings on Monday for anyone trapped under rubble after a deadly earthquake killed at least 53 people, as the country marked its Independence Day amid continuing aftershocks.
The earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday, making it Indonesia’s deadliest since a 2022 quake in West Java that killed hundreds. Landslides and blocked roads were reported across parts of the province, including Sikka and Manggarai, while thousands of residents were evacuated and many remained in tents fearing further tremors.
Nearly 1,600 aftershocks were recorded in the province by Monday, according to local media citing the country’s geophysics agency chief. A 5.6-magnitude earthquake was also reported near the initial epicentre in Nagekeo on Monday morning.
Rescue teams will focus on aerial monitoring for anyone still missing, according to Fathur Rahman, chief of the rescue office in Maumere. Authorities have also prepared aircraft to deliver food and tents after around 500 homes were damaged.
Indonesia will establish emergency field hospitals in several areas, with neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons needed to treat head injuries and broken bones.
The disaster unfolded as President Prabowo Subianto was due to lead celebrations in Jakarta marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.
Reuters
