Indonesia earthquake leads to thousands evacuated, at least 51 killed, roads blocked

A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Saturday, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 5,000 people and claiming at least 51 lives. The disaster also caused significant damage, including blocked roads and landslides. Sixty-two individuals sustained serious injuries, while 77 others had minor injuries during the early morning quake in East Nusa Tenggara province, according to Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus.

The earthquake was followed by about 341 aftershocks, making it the worst seismic event to hit the Southeast Asian nation in recent years. More than 3,300 people in the Sikka region either self-evacuated or were stranded in a sports arena, as reported by the disaster mitigation agency BNPB. Some residents were stranded outside collapsed homes under makeshift tents, while others sought medical attention in tents set up outside a hospital in the port town of Maumere.

Approximately 3,500 military and police officers have been deployed to the region to assist with rescue operations and ensure the safety of affected individuals. The search and rescue agency managed to access parts of Maumere that were inaccessible due to landslides. However, the majority of those missing were trapped under rubble, with over 1,300 homes damaged, according to BNPB. Twenty petrol stations were also out of service due to power outages, as reported by state energy firm Pertamina.

The East Nusa Tenggara government is contemplating declaring an emergency in the province to facilitate the mobilization of resources and funding. The area was hit by a magnitude-7.5 earthquake in 1992, which caused extensive destruction. Indonesia, a country spanning over 290 million people, lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.