A magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck Flores Island in Indonesia on Aug. 17, 2024, killing up to 54 people [1].
The disaster has left thousands of residents homeless and displaced in East Nusa Tenggara province. The scale of the destruction has overwhelmed local resources, leaving survivors in makeshift tents while awaiting critical supplies.
Death toll reports vary between 48 [3] and 54 [1] people. Emergency responders have treated 135 injured individuals [2] as search and rescue operations continue across the region. The impact was most severe in Manggarai Regency and the town of Reo [1, 2].
Infrastructure damage is extensive across the island. Officials said that more than 1,300 homes were damaged or destroyed [2]. The earthquake triggered landslides in several areas, further complicating rescue efforts and blocking access to remote villages.
Thousands of evacuees are currently waiting for aid [1]. Many survivors are sheltering in temporary tents with limited access to clean water, and medical supplies. Local authorities said they are working to coordinate the distribution of food and shelter materials to those displaced by the tremor.
The timing of the disaster coincided with Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations. The tragedy has shifted the national focus from festivities to emergency relief efforts in the East Nusa Tenggara province.
“More than 1,300 homes were damaged or destroyed”
The high casualty count and extensive housing destruction underscore the vulnerability of infrastructure in East Nusa Tenggara. Because the region is prone to seismic activity, the loss of over 1,300 homes suggests a significant gap in earthquake-resistant building standards in rural regencies like Manggarai.
