Ende: Rescue teams were searching through collapsed buildings and damaged communities in eastern Indonesia on Monday as the death toll from a powerful earthquake on Flores Island rose to at least 54. Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes, while repeated aftershocks and blocked roads are making it difficult for emergency workers to reach some of the worst affected areas.
The magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck early Saturday morning in the Flores region of East Nusa Tenggara province. The earthquake was shallow, occurring about 10 kilometres below the surface, which made the shaking particularly destructive. Buildings collapsed, roads were damaged and landslides cut off several communities.
The disaster has become one of Indonesia's deadliest earthquakes in recent years. More than 130 people have been injured, while thousands of others are staying in temporary shelters or sleeping outside because they are afraid to return to damaged homes.
Officials are still assessing the full scale of the destruction. More than 1,300 homes have been damaged, with hundreds reported to have been completely destroyed. Schools, health centres, government buildings and other public facilities have also suffered damage. In some communities, families have lost both their homes and their belongings and are now depending on emergency supplies.
Rescue operations have been particularly difficult in areas affected by landslides. Sections of roads have been blocked by rocks, soil and debris, leaving some villages difficult to reach. Power failures and interruptions to communication have added to the problems faced by emergency teams.
Military and police personnel have been sent to the affected region to assist with rescue and relief work. Helicopters and other emergency equipment are being used to reach communities that cannot easily be reached by road. Authorities are also sending food, drinking water, tents, medicines and other essential supplies.
However, aid has not reached everyone at the same speed. Some survivors have reported shortages of food, clean water and medicine. Emergency workers are working to reopen roads and establish temporary medical facilities so that injured people can receive treatment closer to their homes.
The danger has not ended because the ground continues to shake. Hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded since the main earthquake, and the number has continued to rise. A fresh earthquake measuring about 5.9 struck the Flores region on Monday as rescue operations were still underway. Earlier, another strong tremor was reported near the main earthquake area.
The continuing earthquakes have made many residents reluctant to enter buildings, even when their homes are still standing. Families have spent nights outdoors or in temporary shelters, worried that another strong tremor could bring down weakened structures.
The earthquake also triggered a tsunami warning shortly after it struck. The warning was later lifted after authorities determined that there was no continuing major tsunami threat. Some areas did experience small tsunami waves, adding to the fear among people living along the coast.
Indonesia is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where several tectonic plates meet. The country experiences frequent earthquakes and has suffered devastating tsunamis and other natural disasters in the past.
The latest disaster has also brought back painful memories of the 1992 Flores earthquake and tsunami, which killed thousands of people. For many residents, the current crisis is a reminder of how quickly an earthquake can change daily life.
The disaster has taken place as Indonesia celebrates its 81st Independence Day. While national celebrations continued in Jakarta, many people in Flores spent the day focused on finding relatives, securing shelter and getting basic supplies.
For rescue workers, the priority remains searching damaged buildings and reaching isolated communities. Although authorities have not confirmed reports of missing people, teams are continuing to check collapsed structures and areas affected by landslides.
The coming days will be critical as emergency workers assess the damage, provide medical care and help displaced families find safer places to stay. With aftershocks continuing, authorities are also urging residents to remain cautious around damaged buildings.
For thousands of people across Flores, Indonesia's Independence Day has therefore been marked not by celebration but by grief, fear and a determined effort to rebuild their lives after one of the country's most destructive earthquakes in years.