Darilaut – Preliminary data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) records 53 fatalities resulting from the magnitude (M) 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday morning (August 15). Forty-five of the fatalities occurred in Manggarai and East Manggarai Regencies.
As of Sunday (August 16) at 16:00 WIB, the identified fatalities include 25 people in Manggarai Regency and 20 in East Manggarai Regency. Additionally, there were 4 fatalities in Sikka, 1 in West Manggarai, 1 in Nagekeo, and 2 in Ende.
In addition to the fatalities, joint personnel have evacuated and provided medical care to the injured. The total number of injured victims stands at 137. Currently, the injured are receiving treatment at nearby health facilities or emergency medical posts.
Preliminary data indicates that the total number of heavily damaged houses in NTT Province has reached 1,543 units, with 328 units moderately damaged and 532 units lightly damaged. Damage also affected public facilities, including 87 educational facilities, 50 places of worship, 76 government offices, and various other public amenities.
Joint teams are continuing to gather data on displaced residents. As of Sunday (August 16), 5,488 people were staying in centralized evacuation shelters, while another 171 had evacuated independently.
A total of 995 aftershocks have been recorded, 46 of which were felt by the public.
In response to the earthquake in NTT, BNPB Head Lt. Gen. Dr. Suharyanto, along with other ministers, has arrived at the affected sites to support the acceleration of emergency response efforts. While the primary focus remains on search and rescue operations, the government is also actively addressing the needs of displaced residents.
Field Hospital
The government, through the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB), is preparing to construct a field hospital as an emergency measure to ensure the continuity of healthcare services after the Manggarai Regional General Hospital (RSUD) was affected by the earthquake.
The earthquake’s tremors caused damage to various sections and facilities of RSUD Manggarai. This situation has impacted patient care and administrative activities, which are currently being conducted in the hospital’s courtyard.
The situation was inspected firsthand by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno, alongside the Head of BNPB, during a visit to RSUD Manggarai on Sunday (August 16).
During the visit, the Coordinating Minister engaged in discussions with hospital staff and local government officials to identify healthcare service needs. Based on the inspection, he directed BNPB to immediately establish a field hospital, planned for the Golo Dukal Stadium site. This location is considered sufficiently safe and strategic to support temporary healthcare services.
“We have coordinated with the Minister of Health, and the Head of BNPB will immediately build a field hospital as an alternative solution for temporary healthcare services for RSUD Manggarai,” said Pratikno.
Following this directive, BNPB will promptly prepare and construct the field hospital while providing support for healthcare service requirements. BNPB will also coordinate with the Ministry of Health, local governments, and relevant parties to ensure that healthcare services for the affected community run optimally.
“We will build it immediately and continue to coordinate. In accordance with the Coordinating Minister’s directive, we will also provide other forms of support, including basic necessities for affected residents,” said Suharyanto.
Aid Distribution
Aid has been distributed via both land and air routes. Supplies that have arrived include logistics packages from the central government—dispatched through the National Logistics Post at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport—which reached Maumere and Labuan Bajo on Sunday (August 16). A total of 4,925 packages have been distributed. These relief packages will be distributed to affected areas, including West Manggarai Regency (550 packages), Manggarai Regency (1,000 packages), East Manggarai Regency (550 packages), Ngada Regency (550 packages), Nagekeo Regency (550 packages), Sikka Regency (1,000 packages), and Ende Regency (725 packages).
In addition to distributing relief supplies, the central government—through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB)—has activated a National Support Post (Pospenas) based in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, to coordinate emergency response efforts for the earthquake in NTT. Meanwhile, a tactical command post will be established in the city of Maumere.