Indonesia declares 14-day emergency response after deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake

JAKARTA, Aug 16: Indonesia has declared a 14-day emergency response period following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Flores Island on Saturday, killing at least 47 people, state media reported Sunday.

The East Nusa Tenggara provincial government issued a decree setting the emergency response period through Aug. 28, according to the Antara news agency.

The measure is intended to facilitate search and rescue operations, evacuations, relief distribution and recovery efforts in areas affected by the earthquake.

Search and rescue teams continued operations Sunday as authorities worked to locate survivors and assess the extent of the damage. Fuel and liquefied petroleum gas supplies across Flores Island have also been restored.

Nearly 6,000 people were sheltering in Sikka, Manggara, Nagekeo, Bima and Selayar, according to the report.

The earthquake damaged 914 houses, 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities and 38 government buildings.

State-owned energy company Pertamina said 32 fuel stations in the affected region were operating, while 20 remained closed because of damage. Several distribution outlets were also temporarily suspended as a precaution while authorities inspected facilities and assessed safety conditions.

The Indonesian government has dispatched 27 tons of supplies to earthquake-hit areas as relief efforts continue.

President Prabowo Subianto urged government agencies and other sectors to coordinate closely to ensure a rapid and targeted response. He also instructed officials to conduct direct assessments at disaster sites.

Authorities continue to prioritize rescue operations, assistance for displaced residents and the restoration of essential services across the affected areas.