Indonesia earthquake death toll climbs as more victims found UPDATED

The death toll from a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has risen to 68, Xinhua reports, citing Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The highest numbers of fatalities were recorded in Manggarai regency, where 26 people died, and East Manggarai regency, where 24 people were killed. Eight people died in Nagekeo, four in Sikka, and two each in Ende, West Manggarai and Ngada regencies.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Health has deployed two field hospitals and sent additional medical teams to the disaster zone. Electricity on Flores Island has been restored to 99.5%, while telecommunications services have been restored to 95.4%.

The military has been involved in delivering humanitarian aid to hard-to-reach areas.

11:25

The death toll from a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in southeastern Indonesia has risen to 53, with 137 people injured, the country’s National Disaster Management Agency has stated.

The agency said the earthquake damaged around 2,400 homes, including 1,500 that sustained severe damage, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

A total of 5,488 people have been accommodated at evacuation centres, while another 171 people evacuated independently.

The August 15 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara province damaged 87 educational institutions, 50 religious sites, 76 government facilities and various other public facilities.

According to officials, as of 7 a.m. today, 1,598 aftershocks had been recorded since the earthquake, the strongest of which had a magnitude of 6.2, while the weakest measured 1.3.

Of the aftershocks, 54 were felt by residents.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov