The death toll from a powerful earthquake in eastern Indonesia has risen to at least 68, as rescue teams race to find those trapped in collapsed buildings. Aftershocks and landslides are making it difficult to reach the affected areas and transport relief supplies.
Berton SP Panjaitan, an official with Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), said the death toll was revised from 54 to 68 late Monday, with more than 200 people injured. Thousands have been evacuated following the quake, which is considered the deadliest disaster in Indonesia since a 2022 earthquake killed hundreds in West Java.
Many residents are taking shelter outdoors in temporary tents and are afraid to return home due to the risk of aftershocks. According to Panjaitan, nearly 1,600 aftershocks have occurred in East Nusa Tenggara province as of Monday, affecting people's lives and threatening their safety. Indonesia's geophysics agency also recorded a strong 5.6-magnitude earthquake in the area on Monday morning.
The earthquake also triggered landslides and blocked several roads in Indonesia's southernmost province, including the Sikka and Manggarai districts. Authorities have prepared planes to deliver relief supplies including food and tents. BNPB previously reported that around 500 houses were damaged in the quake.
