Darilaut – At least 462 buildings, including houses and public facilities, sustained damage following a magnitude (M) 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday morning (August 15).
Preliminary data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of Saturday at 17:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) indicates that 157 houses were heavily damaged, 41 moderately damaged, and 148 lightly damaged.
Damage also affected public facilities, including 87 educational facilities, 18 health facilities, 5 places of worship, 6 offices, and various other public amenities.
The BNPB also recorded 47 fatalities. As of Saturday evening at 18:48 WIB, the victims were identified across the following regencies: Manggarai (24 people), East Manggarai (17), Sikka (3), West Manggarai (1), Ngada (1), and Ende (1).
In addition to the fatalities, personnel have evacuated and provided medical treatment to the injured.
Emergency Response
BNPB Head Lt. Gen. Dr. Suharyanto has urged regional heads to declare a disaster emergency response status. This is to be followed by the activation of command posts to ensure that response efforts are coordinated, integrated, and effective.
The BNPB Head stated that activating command posts in the affected regencies facilitates the coordination of impact assessment, search and rescue operations, and the management of displaced persons if necessary.
The BNPB immediately deployed emergency aid, mobilizing supplies from the agency’s logistics warehouse in East Flores.
The central government held a coordination meeting to ensure an optimal emergency response to the M7.7 earthquake. Simultaneously, various ministries and agencies have mobilized teams to the disaster sites in East Nusa Tenggara.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Menko PMK) Pratikno led a virtual coordination meeting on Saturday afternoon (August 15).
The meeting involved various ministries and agencies—including the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and Polri (Indonesian National Police)—that are deploying resources to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The Governor of NTT, who had been in Sikka—one of the areas affected by the earthquake—since that morning, also participated in the coordination.
During the meeting, it was reported that several ministries and agencies had already dispatched resources, including personnel and equipment, to support the initial phase of the emergency response.
Priority is being given to the evacuation and rescue of victims trapped in building rubble and those who have sustained injuries. Additionally, the provision of basic necessities is a key focus for the central government.
Coordinating Minister Pratikno issued directives emphasizing the need for rapid action to facilitate the residents’ recovery.
“Rescue efforts, healthcare services, and the restoration of basic infrastructure—such as hospitals—must be prioritized,” the Coordinating Minister stated.
Damaged Educational Facilities
The earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara has damaged a number of educational facilities. Preliminary data obtained by Darilaut.id as of Saturday indicates that the highest number of damaged school buildings is in Ngada Regency.
The Directorate General of Teachers and Education Personnel of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), via its Instagram account @ditjen.gtk.kemdikbud, expressed its prayers and deepest condolences to our fellow citizens in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, who have been affected by the earthquake.
We extend our deepest sympathy to all teachers, students, and education personnel at schools where facilities and infrastructure have been damaged.
We hope that the handling and rehabilitation of learning facilities will proceed optimally to ensure safety and the continuity of the teaching and learning process. Let us unite in prayer for our fellow citizens in East Nusa Tenggara.
School building damage also occurred in Ende Regency and Nagekeo Regency. Damage to educational facilities was also recorded at the Unika campus and other school buildings in Manggarai Regency.
In Ngada Regency, at least 32 educational institutions were affected. Seventeen schools suffered heavy damage: SDI Ngelapadhi, SDI Gemo, SKB Aimere, SDN Libunio, SDN Agowoe, SDI Ngiramawo (library), SDI Wue, SDI Bogenga, SMPN Satap 2 Soa, SDI Tarawali, SMPS Slamet Riyadi Soa, SDK Tanawolo, SDI Lindi, SDN Wakopezi, SDI Waruwaja, SMPN 2 Bajawa Utara, and SD Citra Bakti.
Educational facilities that sustained minor damage include: TK Citra Bakti, TKN Libunio, TK Satap SDK Olabolo, TKN Dolumolo, SDI Malanuza, UPTD SDN Hedhazita, SDK Ngoranale, SDK Rakalaba, SDN Dizigedha, SDN Sobo, SDI Ngedumee, SDN Watuwula, SDK Wolowio, SDK Malapedho, and SDK Kisanata.
At the Unika campus in Manggarai Regency, a wall of one of the buildings collapsed. As of Saturday, 12 educational facilities were reported damaged: SMPN 3 Cibal, SDN Cumpe, SMPN 4 Reok, SDK Pagal 2, SDI Bea Noning, SMPN 2 Wae Rii, TK Areng Koe, SMPN 1 Langke Rembong, SMPN 1 Cibal, SDK Kole, SDI Karot, and SDK Beo Kina.
In Ende Regency, 11 educational institutions sustained damage ranging from severe to moderate and minor: SDK Aewora, SDK Wolotolo, SDN Woimite, SDK Nangakeo, SDI Ende 12, SDI Kota Baru, and SDK Nazaret; followed by SMPN 1 Ndona, SMPN Mautenda, SMPN Sokoria, and SMPS Rewarangga.
In Nagekeo Regency, the damaged educational facility is SDK Riipua.
According to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, data regarding educational facilities in Sikka and East Manggarai Regencies (East Nusa Tenggara) is currently being assessed by the relevant local agencies.