rki.news | Source: Xinhua
JAKARTA, August 16: Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara provincial government has declared a 14-day emergency response period following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores Island on August 15, according to a provincial government decree.
The emergency period will run from August 15 to 28, with authorities focusing on evacuation, relief distribution, disaster response and recovery operations.
The earthquake was centered about 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 15 kilometers.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported that the earthquake and 341 aftershocks had killed 51 people and injured 113 others.
Thousands of residents have been displaced, with 3,356 people taking refuge in Sikka, 2,078 in Manggarai and 500 in Nagekeo. Others were displaced in Bima and Selayar.
The earthquake heavily damaged 914 houses, while 126 sustained moderate damage and 317 suffered light damage. Damage was also reported to 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities and 38 government offices.
The provincial government said the emergency declaration would help coordinate rescue, evacuation, relief and recovery efforts in affected communities.