53 Dead in Indonesia Quake as Rescue Efforts Continue

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province, leaving 53 dead and dozens injured. Rescuers face landslides as relief operations accelerate

Desk Report

Aug 17, 2026, 07:19 AM1 min read

53 Dead in Indonesia Quake as Rescue Efforts Continue

Patients receive treatment at a makeshift tent outside a hospital following the earthquake in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia / Collected

The death toll from a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has risen to 53, as rescuers continue searching for survivors trapped beneath landslides and collapsed buildings.

The earthquake struck offshore near Flores on Saturday and was followed by more than 300 aftershocks. At least 64 people were injured, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency, making it Indonesia’s deadliest earthquake since a 2022 tremor in West Java killed hundreds of people.

Northern Flores was among the worst-hit areas, with Manggarai and East Manggarai districts reporting the highest number of fatalities. Rescue operations have been hampered by landslides and disruptions to electricity and telecommunications.

According to China Daily, helicopters are being used to evacuate victims and deliver emergency supplies to isolated communities. President Prabowo Subianto has ordered officials to accelerate relief operations, with thousands of food packages already delivered to affected districts.

The provincial government has declared a state of emergency as rescue and relief efforts continue across the quake-hit areas.

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