Death toll from 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia rises to 73
The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province on Saturday has risen to 73, with 931 others injured as of 18:00 Jakarta time, the National Search and Rescue Agency reported on Wednesday.
Nature has once again reminded us of its unpredictable force, unleashing a devastating blow on the island nation. In such moments, boundaries between people disappear, and the only thing that remains is mutual aid and the will to save every life. Indonesia, situated at the meeting point of tectonic plates, is no stranger to seismic trials, yet each new tremor tests not only infrastructure but also the human spirit.
The agency said search and rescue operations are continuing, with helicopters deployed to isolated areas to deliver medical personnel and evacuate residents in need of treatment. The earthquake's epicentre was near Mbaya in Nagekeo district, where authorities continue to monitor seismic activity and provide medical and recovery assistance to affected areas.
Indonesia lies in one of the world's most seismically active zones — the Pacific Ring of Fire, where more than 90% of all earthquakes occur annually. East Nusa Tenggara province, located in the southeast of the archipelago, has suffered from strong tremors on multiple occasions. The country's authorities regularly conduct disaster response drills, yet the scale of destruction often exceeds local capacities, requiring rapid mobilisation of resources from other regions and international aid.
As CCTV+ reports, the number of casualties continues to rise, and rescuers are working with limited access to remote villages. The coming days will be critical for finding survivors under the rubble. Indonesia once again turns to the international community for support, reminding us that in the face of disaster, all nations are neighbours, and only through joint efforts can the impact of natural catastrophe be mitigated.
