The death toll continues to rise following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in the Mbay area on the northern part of Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT), Indonesia. On Saturday, NTT Governor Melki Lakalena stated that, according to the latest reports, five people have died.
He said that current data shows two of the victims are from Maumere in Sikka Regency, and the other three are from Manggarai Regency.
Melki announced the latest disaster information at a joint press conference with the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, and the military and police units.
He said that it is initially suspected that the victims were crushed by collapsing buildings during the earthquake, but the exact cause of death remains to be further verified.
“However, we will further confirm the causes of death.”
Melki stated that the exact figures on casualties and damage will be further verified after he leads a team to Flores Island, and the latest updates will be released later the same day.
He said the provincial government plans to travel to Flores Island before noon on Saturday, and intends to provide further disaster updates—including the latest casualty counts and information about damaged buildings—in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, he noted, the earthquake also caused road interruptions and landslides in parts of Flores Island, making rescue and transportation in the disaster area more difficult.