Aid disruptions and continuing aftershocks on the Indonesian island of Flores are raising fears among thousands of survivors displaced by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on Saturday.
At least 53 people were killed and some 5,000 displaced by the quake, which hit shortly before 06:00 local time at a depth of 15km. It is Indonesia's deadliest earthquake since 2022.
Survivors are sleeping outdoors amid concerns that further tremors could cause more buildings to collapse. Makeshift emergency rooms have been set up in tents after hospitals were damaged. Landslides have blocked access roads and supplies are dwindling in several areas, with reports of starvation increasing.
Rista Mari, a public relations officer at the Ruteng Regional General Hospital in Manggarai Regency, said: "We heard that medical assistance would be provided, but nothing has arrived yet. We hope that assistance will arrive soon."
Early data from Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency shows more than 1,000 houses damaged, along with dozens of health facilities, schools and government offices. The full scale of the damage is still being assessed.
In Labuan Bajo, many survivors are sleeping outdoors. Farmer Anastasia Imad said: "The shaking was very scary. My house almost collapsed. We were worried that the aftershocks would collapse the house while we were sleeping."
Herry Kabut, editor-in-chief of Floresa Media, said residents have set up their own evacuation posts amid blackouts, landslides and roadblocks. "So far, many basic necessities such as basic foodstuffs and clean water are in great demand. People have no idea where to evacuate. There's been no government advice. Many have fled to the hills and are starving."
In Ngada Regency, resident Charles Abar reported that health facilities and equipment were severely damaged and no medical assistance had arrived as of Sunday night. He said district and regional governments were struggling with budget constraints and limited supplies. Villages have been cut off from aid, and displaced people have sought higher ground as hundreds of aftershocks continue.
On Sunday night, rescuers reached Nitung Village on Palue Island, which had been isolated for nearly two days. Sikka Deputy Police Chief Commissioner Marselus Yugo Amboro said the road was prone to landslides and posed a life-threatening route. Hundreds of homes there were severely damaged, with residents sheltering in makeshift tents. Electricity and communication lines were cut off. "They haven't received aid yet because Nitung Village was isolated for nearly two days after the quake," he said, adding that efforts were under way to deliver assistance. He described it as likely the worst-hit village in Sikka Regency.
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