At least 68 dead after Indonesia earthquake as survivors experience aftershocks, await aid

A deadly earthquake struck eastern Indonesia on Monday, killing at least 68 people and injuring over 200, according to an official from the country's disaster mitigation agency. The death toll had been initially reported as 54, but has since been raised. The tremor, which was the deadliest disaster in the country since a 2022 quake, also caused numerous injuries and extensive damages, including collapsed buildings and landslides.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated, many of them seeking shelter in tents due to fears of aftershocks. As the country marked its Independence Day celebrations, the quake has cast a shadow over the festivities. The region has experienced nearly 1,600 aftershocks, according to data from Indonesia's geophysics agency.

In the village near the affected Ende region, a damaged health center was littered with tents and hospital beds, indicating the need for immediate aid. Residents, such as 64-year-old farmer Firmus Woge, were treated for asthma aggravated by the quake-induced panic. Meanwhile, others, like 56-year-old Emilianus Oro, were struggling to find clean water, leading to health issues such as diarrhea.

The search for survivors continues, with rescuers utilizing aerial monitoring and extrication devices. Authorities have prepared planes to deliver aid, including food and tents. The quake damaged around 500 homes, and authorities are building an emergency field hospital in several areas, expecting the need for neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to treat head trauma and broken bones.

President Prabowo Subianto presided over Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta, far from the disaster zone, while residents in fear of tsunamis sought higher ground. One resident, Gervas, 42, expressed his primary concern for the safety of his wife and four-year-old twins instead of the Independence Day celebrations.