Thousands await food, medicine as Indonesia quake kills 53, displaces 5,000

Ruteng, Indonesia — A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Flores island in Indonesia early yesterday, killing 53 people and displacing 5,000 residents. The temblor was followed by nearly 1,000 aftershocks, leaving many without electricity, communications and access to emergency routes. In Nangahale village, residents expressed urgent needs for food, water, medicine and diapers, while in Kisol village, several homes collapsed, forcing villagers to take refuge outside their damaged homes.

The Indonesian National Disaster Agency (BNPB) has dispatched multiple helicopters, planes, ships and rescue teams to aid the affected areas. At least 914 homes were severely damaged, along with numerous public buildings, including 93 schools and 36 healthcare facilities. Despite the disaster, the government has already dispatched 50,000 aid packages weighing 275 tonnes to the region.