Flores, en.SERU.co.id — The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck northern Flores in East Nusa Tenggara has risen to 51, according to Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) on Sunday morning.
Basarnas chief Air Marshal M. Syafii said four additional bodies had been recovered by search-and-rescue teams, bringing the confirmed death toll to 51. Three victims were found in East Manggarai and one in Manggarai.
Earlier, Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported 47 deaths. Its data recorded 23 fatalities in Manggarai, 17 in East Manggarai, four in Sikka, and one each in West Manggarai, Ende and Nagekeo. At least 101 people were reported injured.
Thousands Displaced as Search Operations Continue
The number of displaced residents has also increased as authorities continue assessing damage across the affected areas.
BNPB reported more than 5,000 people staying in temporary shelters, while other figures put the number of displaced residents at around 9,290. Sikka recorded the largest concentration, followed by Manggarai.
Preliminary assessments have identified hundreds of damaged homes, including 914 heavily damaged, 126 moderately damaged and 317 lightly damaged houses. Schools, health facilities and government buildings were also affected.
BNPB has distributed 50,000 aid packages, while joint teams from Basarnas, the military, police and other agencies continue search, rescue and recovery operations.
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M7.7 Flores Earthquake Kills 38, 235 Aftershocks Recorded
Aftershocks Continue
Seismic activity remains elevated following the mainshock.
BMKG recorded at least 341 aftershocks by Sunday morning, while another update put the number at 611 by around 2 a.m. The agency had previously recorded 235 aftershocks by 2 p.m. Saturday and 377 by Saturday evening.
BMKG head Teuku Faisal Fathani previously said the aftershock activity could take two to three weeks to gradually decline.
“From hour to hour we observe that there has not yet been any decay,” Fathani said.
Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity and assess damage in affected communities. Officials have stressed that casualty, displacement and damage figures remain provisional and subject to further verification.
