‘Nowhere to run’: Indonesian quake survivors plead for help
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck north of Flores Island early on Saturday, killing 68 people and displacing about 13 000 resident.
Survivors of a deadly earthquake in east Indonesia pleaded for urgent assistance as they faced a third night without proper shelter. The 7.7-magnitude tremor struck north of the island of Flores, killing 68 people and injuring dozens. Rescuer officials claimed there were no missing persons, but efforts were underway to deliver essential supplies to the approximately 13,000 displaced individuals.
One of the survivors, Sulistiyah, described the fear and anxiety of living in makeshift tents while anticipating possible aftershocks. Her home was destroyed, and she feared being buried by rubble. The community, traumatized by the quake, struggled with limited access to water, electricity, and sanitation facilities. Many residents remembered the devastating tsunami from a previous 7.7-magnitude quake in 1992 that claimed over 2,500 lives.
Despite authorities urging residents to return home, they remained unwilling due to ongoing shaking. The community's sense of safety was further undermined by infrequent access to clean water, as residents only took showers every two days. The Indonesian government canceled a planned Independence Day fireworks display to show solidarity with the victims.
President Prabowo Subianto urged the nation to pray for those affected by the disaster, highlighting the urgent need for aid and reconstruction efforts.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
