The death toll from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia on August 15 reached 100 on Monday. Disaster agency chief Suharyanto confirmed the updated figure during a press conference, noting that the increase resulted from individuals succumbing to injuries while receiving medical treatment.
The earthquake occurred in the province of East Nusa Tenggara and has been followed by thousands of aftershocks. It represents the deadliest seismic event in Indonesia since 2022, when a 5.6-magnitude quake in West Java resulted in hundreds of fatalities.
According to Suharyanto, more than 1,600 people were injured in the disaster. Relief operations have entered their 10th day, with authorities utilizing helicopters, trucks, and motorcycles to distribute aid to affected areas. Drone footage from August 17 showed makeshift tents established for patients outside the damaged Ben Mboi Manggarai regional hospital in Ruteng.
For the 180,000 evacuees and more than 1,600 injured individuals, the event has resulted in a total disruption of daily life, including the loss of permanent housing and the necessity of seeking medical care in makeshift facilities. The use of helicopters and motorcycles to deliver aid indicates that traditional transportation routes may be compromised, affecting how residents receive food, water, and medical supplies. Residents in the region continue to experience instability as thousands of aftershocks have been recorded since the initial 7.7-magnitude strike on August 15.
The disaster highlights the ongoing geographical risks for Indonesia, which sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire," an area where tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activity. As relief operations continue for a 10th day, the government is focused on aid distribution and managing the medical needs of those still hospitalized. The disaster agency has not yet provided a specific date for when evacuation orders will be lifted or when permanent repairs to the 73,000 damaged homes will begin.