Indonesia earthquake death toll rises to 54 in East Nusa Tenggara
Synopsis
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake has killed at least 54 people in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara, left over 12,000 homeless, and damaged more than 1,350 structures including hospitals and schools. With aftershocks continuing, a 14-day emergency declared, and roads blocked by landslides, the death toll is expected to climb as rescuers reach remote areas.
Key Takeaways
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia on 15 August , killing at least 54 people as of 17 August .
More than 12,000 people have been displaced; 914 houses were heavily damaged.
The quake also damaged 93 educational facilities , 36 health facilities , and 38 government offices .
A 14-day emergency response status has been declared, running from 15 to 28 August .
11 aircraft and helicopters are deployed for relief; a field hospital is being set up at Golo Dukal Stadium after Manggarai Regional Hospital was damaged.
A tsunami warning was issued and later lifted; aftershocks are continuing.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province early on Saturday, 15 August has killed at least 54 people, according to the country's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of Monday, 17 August. Rescue teams are still combing through damaged areas, with casualty figures expected to rise as assessments continue in remote zones.
Scale of Destruction
The quake, centred approximately 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency at a depth of 15 km, has left a trail of structural damage across the province. According to the provincial government decree, 914 houses were heavily damaged, 126 moderately damaged, and 317 lightly damaged. Beyond residential structures, the disaster also struck 93 educational facilities, 36 health facilities, and 38 government offices.
More than 12,000 people had been rendered homeless as of Sunday, according to BNPB. Several flights in East Nusa Tenggara were cancelled in the quake's aftermath, further complicating relief logistics.
Emergency Response Underway
BNPB chief Suharyanto confirmed that authorities were continuing to assess casualties and damage while deploying medical assistance to hundreds of injured survivors. Authorities have mobilised land, sea, and air assets — including 11 aircraft and helicopters — to ferry relief supplies and support evacuations in hard-to-reach areas, including Palue Island in Sikka regency.
With the Manggarai Regional Hospital damaged and local health services disrupted, a field hospital is being set up at Golo Dukal Stadium to handle the medical surge. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency has warned that aftershocks are continuing across the region.
14-Day Emergency Status Declared
The East Nusa Tenggara provincial government has declared a 14-day emergency response status, running from 15 August to 28 August, under a decree issued by Melki Laka Lena, governor of the province. The measure is intended to streamline disaster response, evacuation, relief distribution, and early recovery operations.
Governor Laka Lena told a press conference in Kupang on Saturday that several roads had been cut off or blocked by landslides triggered by the quake, adding to the difficulty of reaching affected communities.
Tsunami Warning Lifted
The earthquake initially triggered a tsunami warning, which was subsequently lifted by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency after no significant wave activity was detected. This is the latest in a series of major seismic events to hit Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and ranks among the world's most earthquake-prone nations. Rescue teams remain on the ground, and the full extent of casualties and damage is still being determined.
Point of View
Roads severed by landslides, and 12,000 people homeless within hours reveal how thin the margin of resilience remains in eastern Indonesia. The 14-day emergency declaration is a procedural response; the harder question is why health and transport infrastructure in NTT remains so fragile decades into national disaster-preparedness investments. With aftershocks ongoing and remote islands still unreached, the official death toll of 54 is almost certainly an undercount.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have died in the Indonesia earthquake?
At least 54 people have died following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara on 15 August , according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 17 August. Casualty figures are still being assessed and are expected to rise.
Where did the Indonesia earthquake strike?
The earthquake was centred approximately 30 km northeast of Mbay in Nagekeo Regency , East Nusa Tenggara province, at a depth of 15 km . The tremor struck early Saturday morning and affected multiple districts across the province.
Was there a tsunami after the Indonesia earthquake?
Yes, a tsunami warning was initially issued following the 7.7-magnitude quake , but it was subsequently lifted by Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency after no significant wave activity was recorded.
How many people have been displaced by the earthquake?
More than 12,000 people had been left homeless as of Sunday, with 914 houses heavily damaged, 126 moderately damaged, and 317 lightly damaged, in addition to widespread damage to schools, hospitals, and government buildings.
What emergency measures have been put in place?
East Nusa Tenggara's provincial government has declared a 14-day emergency response status from 15 to 28 August . Authorities have deployed 11 aircraft and helicopters for relief operations, and a field hospital is being established at Golo Dukal Stadium after the regional hospital was damaged.
