JAKARTA, August 17, 2026 — XAB.info. A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Saturday morning off the coast of eastern Indonesia has led to tragic consequences. According to the latest data, the death toll has reached at least 53 people, with more than 130 others injured with varying degrees of severity. The disaster has become the deadliest for the country since 2022, when hundreds died in West Java province.

Scale of Evacuation and Humanitarian Situation

As a result of the seismic shock, a large-scale evacuation of the population was carried out. According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, about 5,000 people were forced to leave their homes. In the most affected region of Sikka, more than 3,300 people evacuated on their own or found shelter at local sports arenas. The situation on the ground remains tense: many residents whose homes were destroyed are forced to sleep under makeshift canvas tents set up right next to the ruins. Other victims are receiving medical assistance in field hospitals deployed near hospitals.

Search and Rescue Operations and Infrastructure

Rescue services have focused their efforts on clearing debris in the most affected areas: Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagekeo. The priority task remains the search for people who may be trapped under the rubble of buildings. At the Maumere port, which is currently closed, rescuers and local residents are facing huge difficulties due to debris from collapsed roofs and walls. Although power supply in the affected areas has been almost fully restored, authorities continue to work on repairing distribution lines to ensure the stability of the power grid.

State of Emergency and Aftershock Activity

The government of the East Nusa Tenggara province has declared a state of emergency. This decision will allow authorities to mobilize the necessary resources and funding to deal with the aftermath of the disaster. The disaster agency reported that nearly a thousand aftershocks have been recorded since the main shock. People in the disaster zone express serious concern about repeated tremors, which could worsen the situation and lead to new destruction.

Contradictory Data

There are certain discrepancies in the assessment of the situation regarding missing persons. The disaster agency officially stated that it has not received reports of missing people to date. However, representatives of rescue agencies working on the front lines note that landslides and constant aftershocks significantly hinder the conduct of full-scale search operations. This creates a risk that the actual number of missing persons may be higher than officially reported, as access to some areas is limited.

Geographical Context and Risks

Indonesia, an archipelago with a population of 290 million, is located within the so-called "Ring of Fire." This is a seismically active zone where tectonic plates collide, regularly causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The earthquake that occurred on Saturday was another reminder of the fragility of infrastructure and life in a region subject to constant natural threats.