Indonesia launches swift response after 7.7-magnitude NTT earthquake

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government held a coordination meeting while taking parallel, swift action to respond to the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Saturday morning.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, who chaired the online coordination meeting from Jakarta on Saturday afternoon, instructed officials to take quick action to ensure rapid recovery for affected residents.

"Rescue efforts, healthcare services, and the restoration of basic infrastructure, such as hospitals, must be prioritized," he remarked.

He also asked the NTT governor to identify emergency response needs to allow for well-planned, rapid action, including establishing field hospitals.

This, he added, will help the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) manage and allocate central government aid to the disaster-affected areas.

Pratikno affirmed that the earthquake has drawn the attention of President Prabowo Subianto, who assured that central government assistance will be channeled and coordinated through the BNPB.

To ensure coordinated, integrated, and effective response measures, BNPB Head Suharyanto asked local leaders to immediately announce a disaster emergency response status, followed by the activation of command posts.

He added that the BNPB has dispatched emergency assistance, mobilizing supplies from its logistics warehouse in East Flores.

Several other ministries and agencies have also deployed resources to disaster-hit areas. The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), for instance, dispatched specialized SAR teams from several regions, including Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, to assist in rescuing victims trapped under rubble.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works is coordinating with local authorities to clear landslide debris blocking roads and waterways.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has begun moving supplies from its logistics warehouse in Kupang, NTT, toward hard-hit areas such as Nagekeo and Sikka. Along with aid packages, Tagana disaster response volunteers have been deployed to activate public kitchens and provide psychosocial support.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Health will activate Health Emergency Operation Centers (HEOC) at both national and regional levels. A team from the ministry's Crisis Center will also depart immediately alongside BNPB personnel.

In the transportation sector, five of the 15 airports in NTT were reportedly affected by the earthquake. However, all runways remain operational, with damage limited to airport terminal buildings. Two ports also suffered severe damage.

To support emergency response efforts, the Ministry of Transportation has prepared helicopters and aircraft for deployment under BNPB coordination.

In addition, the government has deployed military and police personnel to affected areas, including military aircraft and naval vessels.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Nagekeo District, NTT, on Saturday morning, triggering a tsunami warning from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which was later lifted.

According to BNPB data, as of 3 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Saturday, the earthquake's death toll had reached 38.

Related news: East NusaTenggara's quake death toll rises to 38, BNPB says

Related news: Kupang to Flores flights cancelled following earthquake

Translator: Sean Filo, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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