Indonesia evacuates thousands after deadly earthquake kills 53

Indonesian authorities announced on Sunday the evacuation of around 5,000 people following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck the eastern part of the country, resulting in the deaths of 53 people and injuring more than 130 others, most suffering fractures.

The earthquake, which occurred on Saturday, caused road closures and landslides, making it the deadliest since the West Java quake in 2022.

The National Disaster Management Agency said more than 3,300 people in the Sikka region left their homes or sought shelter in a gymnasium, while others stayed in temporary tents or received treatment outside hospitals.

Some residents were stranded outside their collapsed homes, while a sports stadium accommodated hundreds of displaced people.

Indonesia, with a population of 290 million, sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Authorities have recorded nearly 1,000 aftershocks since the earthquake, raising concerns among residents in the currently closed Maumere port about ongoing tremors.

In the hardest-hit areas such as Manggarai, East Manggarai, and Nagakeo, rescue efforts have focused on clearing debris in search of survivors, though operations have been hampered by landslides and continuous aftershocks.

Officials confirmed that no missing persons have been reported so far.

The National Disaster Management Agency indicated that the East Nusa Tenggara government is considering declaring a state of emergency to facilitate the mobilization of resources and funding.

More than 3,500 military and police personnel have been deployed to support relief operations. The region previously experienced a devastating 7.5-magnitude earthquake in 1992.