Indonesia Deploys Rescue Teams, Aid After 7.7-Magnitude NTT Earthquake

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A magnitude 7.7 earthquake shook East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday morning, August 15, 2026, prompting an immediate response from the Indonesian government. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, led a coordination meeting and emphasized the need for swift action to aid affected residents.

Rescue teams, medical services, and the restoration of essential infrastructure like hospitals were top priorities. Pratikno also directed the NTT governor to identify emergency response needs to facilitate well-coordinated efforts, including establishing field hospitals for disaster-affected regions.

President Prabowo Subianto was informed of the incident, assuring that central government assistance would be managed through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). BNPB Head Suharyanto requested local leaders to declare a disaster emergency response status and activate command posts. The agency dispatched emergency aid, including supplies from its logistics warehouse in East Flores.

Several ministries and agencies, such as the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the Ministry of Public Works, also contributed resources to the disaster-stricken areas. The Ministry of Social Affairs began transporting supplies from its warehouse in Kupang, NTT, to Nagekeo and Sikka, while the Ministry of Health activated Health Emergency Operation Centers and dispatched a team of Crisis Center personnel.

Several airports in NTT, though affected, had operational runways, and two ports experienced severe damage. Military and police personnel were also deployed to the affected areas to assist in emergency response efforts. As of 3 p.m. Western Indonesia Time on Saturday, the death toll from the earthquake had risen to 38.