inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. West Manggarai. The Indonesian National Police (INP), along with the central government, regional governments, the Indonesian National Military (TNI), and several stakeholders, strengthened coordination to expedite disaster management following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This coordination took place through a joint coordination meeting at the West Manggarai Regent's Office on Sunday (8/16/2026).
The coordination meeting was chaired by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno and Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian, the Minister of Public Works, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto, Head of Basarnas Mohammad Syafii, and several relevant officials.
The meeting was part of efforts to expedite the response to the impact of the 7.7 magnitude tectonic earthquake that occurred on Saturday (8/15/2026) at 4:58 a.m. The epicenter was approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo Regency, at a depth of 15 kilometers, and caused tremors up to VII MMI intensity in the Aesesa area and Mbay City.
According to updated Basarnas data as of Sunday (8/16/2026) at 9:00 a.m. 51 people died and 64 were injured. The highest number of fatalities was recorded in Manggarai Regency, with 24 and East Manggarai with 20. The search and evacuation process is ongoing, so the victim data is subject to change.
Head of the Public Relations Task Force for Operation Aman Nusa II for Natural Disaster Management in NTT, Superintendent. Bayu Suseno, stated that the police, along with all relevant agencies, continue to strengthen synergy to ensure a swift precise response.
"The main focus now is the rescue and evacuation of victims, meeting the basic needs of affected communities, and ensuring the continuity of communication and aid distribution channels," Bayu said in a statement on Sunday (8/16/2026).
The earthquake also impacted several health facilities and basic infrastructure. A total of 21 hospitals were affected, with three hospitals suffering severe damage and six others suffering minor damage. Of the 190 community health centers affected, 20 suffered severe damage.
In the infrastructure sector, 33 landslides, four road faults, and four bridges were damaged. Several vital routes, such as the Ende-Bajawa and Ende-Maumere sections, were also affected. Damage also occurred to access to the Lorens Say Port in Maumere and the South Lembor Water Supply System (SPAM). In West Manggarai Regency, 914 buildings were damaged as of early Sunday morning.
In response to the emergency, the police has mobilized additional personnel to conduct search and rescue operations, supported by approximately 1,875 joint personnel from the TNI, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and volunteers. A helicopter fleet has also been deployed from Bima to Labuan Bajo to support medical evacuations and aid distribution by air and sea.
Police also distributed hundreds of basic food packages to affected communities in the Nangapanda area, Ende Regency.
In addition, National Assistance Posts (Pospenas) have been established in Labuan Bajo and Maumere, while the National Logistics Post is located at Halim Perdana Kusuma to strengthen aid distribution support to affected areas.
Bayu emphasized that during the first seven days of the emergency response period, all relevant elements prioritized search and rescue of victims, meeting basic needs, restoring road access and communications, and strengthening disaster management coordination.
(ad/inp/pr/rs)
