Indonesia was rocked by another earthquake on Monday, just 48 hours after a powerful tremor devastated parts of the country, leaving at least 53 people dead and thousands displaced.
According to Germany’s Research Centre, the latest earthquake measured 5.9 on the Richter scale, with the Flores region identified as its epicentre. The fresh tremor struck early Monday morning, adding to the devastation caused by Saturday’s much stronger 7.7-magnitude earthquake.
The Saturday earthquake affected six areas of Flores province. Rescue teams continued their search operations through Sunday and recovered six more bodies, taking the confirmed death toll to 53. Authorities fear the number could rise as rescue workers continue clearing debris and searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures.
The districts of Manggarai, East Manggarai and Nagekeo are among the worst affected areas and remain under close administrative monitoring. Landslides have also disrupted roads and isolated several villages.
Fatur Rahman, head of the search and rescue team in Maumere, said most landslides had been cleared and road links with previously isolated villages had been restored. However, damaged communication networks and power disruptions are continuing to hamper rescue operations.
More than 900 houses have reportedly been destroyed across East Nusa Tenggara, while another 450 homes have suffered damage. Nearly 5,000 people have been forced to take shelter in temporary evacuation centres.
Indonesia’s disaster management authorities said at least 241 houses had been damaged in the Flores region alone. Rescue and relief operations remain underway as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction.
