Flores, en.SERU.co.id – The number of people killed by the earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has risen to 71. BMKG has recorded 2,768 aftershocks that continued to occur until Wednesday, 19 August 2026. The government is also preparing home repair assistance of up to Rp30 million and a temporary housing scheme for residents whose houses were heavily damaged.
Acting Head of the BNPB Centre for Disaster Data, Information and Communication, Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, said one additional victim was recorded in Nagekeo Regency.
“The number of victims has increased by one person to 71 (deaths). We, the entire government as well as ministries and agencies, express our deepest condolences,” Berton said on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Thousands of Aftershocks Still Occurring
Amid the process of handling victims and damage, seismic activity in the Flores region is still ongoing. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recorded a total of 2,768 aftershocks that occurred until Wednesday, 19 August 2026 at 5.00 am WIB.
The aftershocks ranged in magnitude from M1.1 to M6.2. Of that number, 24 earthquakes were recorded with magnitudes greater than M5. Meanwhile, 81 aftershocks were felt by the public.
Director of Earthquake and Tsunami at BMKG, Wijayanto, said the main earthquake occurred on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 4.58 am WIB with an updated magnitude of M7.7. The shallow earthquake was triggered by tectonic activity in the Flores Back-Arc with an upward movement mechanism or thrust fault.
“Aftershocks are estimated to continue for the next three to four weeks. The public is urged to remain calm and alert for aftershocks that are still occurring,” Wijayanto said, as reported from the BMKG website.
BNPB Prepares Home Repair Assistance
Based on temporary monitoring and field information, the M7.7 Flores earthquake caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. Building damage was reported in a number of areas, particularly West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, as well as Sikka and Maumere.
In addition to handling victims, the government has begun preparing an assistance scheme for residents whose houses were damaged by the earthquake.
Head of BNPB, Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, said the government is preparing home repair assistance based on the level of damage. For houses that suffered light damage, the assistance prepared is Rp15 million. Meanwhile, houses with moderate damage will receive Rp30 million.
“The assistance has not been distributed immediately. The government will first carry out data collection and verification. This is particularly to ensure the level of damage to each house and to prevent double data and errors in aid recipients,” he said.
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For houses categorized as heavily damaged or destroyed, the government is preparing a different scheme. Residents will receive support toward the construction of permanent housing (Huntap).
While waiting for the construction of permanent housing, residents can choose one of two temporary living alternatives. The first option is to receive Housing Waiting Funds (DTH) of Rp600,000 that can be used to rent a house.
“The second option is to occupy temporary housing (Huntara) prepared by the government. Those whose houses were heavily damaged will be provided with temporary housing as a place to live while waiting for permanent housing,” Suharyanto said.
The government emphasized that all assistance will be realized after data collection and field verification are completed. This step is taken so that aid is provided according to the level of damage and reaches the right recipients. (aan/mzm)
