{
  "id": 1424247,
  "title": "Palace marks Independence Day amid deadly earthquake in Flores",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/palace-marks-independence-day-amid-deadly-earthquake-in-flores",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T05:12:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Jakarta Post",
    "slug": "the-jakarta-post",
    "url": "https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2026/08/17/palace-marks-independence-day-amid-deadly-earthquake-in-flores.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prabowo Subianto presided over the 81st Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday, as Indonesia honored its national holiday amid the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara and protests during an Aceh peace anniversary event. The head of state, dressed in traditional attire, oversaw the flag-raising ceremony, a parade, and the ceremonial carriage procession, which carried the symbolic flag and Proclamation text from Monas to the palace. Following the event, Prabowo led a moment of silence to remember the sacrifices of Indonesian heroes and urged the audience to pray for those impacted by disasters. This year, the country celebrated Independence Day while people on Flores Island, still grappling with the effects of a 7.7-magnitude earthquake, experienced loss and displacement. The quake, which struck early Saturday, claimed 53 lives, injured over 1,000, and left hundreds of structures in ruins. More than 130 individuals were hospitalized with various injuries.",
  "summary": "President Prabowo Subianto led the 81st Independence Day ceremony in Jakarta on Monday, as the country marked the occasion amid the aftermath of a deadly earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and unrest during an Aceh peace anniversary event over the weekend.",
  "key_points": [
    "Prabowo Subianto led 81st Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace",
    "Flores Island suffers 7.7-magnitude earthquake, causing 53 deaths and 1,000 injuries",
    "Prabowo urged audience to pray for disaster victims"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations took on a somber tone as festivities at the palace stood in contrast to the widespread devastation and loss of life from the recent Flores earthquake.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}