East Nusa Tenggara governor steps up quake response

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3 hours ago

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) – East Nusa Tenggara Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena moved swiftly to respond after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck northern Flores on Saturday, coordinating with local officials over conditions across affected areas.

Laka Lena said provincial officials had received reports from district heads and other sources across Flores and were coordinating to assess the earthquake’s impact.

“Since this morning, we have received information and calls from local leaders and others in Flores reporting the earthquake in Mbay,” he said.

Laka Lena was coordinating with district heads, deputy heads, and local governments across Flores, which were conducting initial response efforts and checking residents’ conditions.

“Since this morning, we have coordinated with district heads, deputy heads, and officials across Flores to assess conditions and lead the earthquake response,” he added.

The provincial government also coordinated with the East Nusa Tenggara regional leadership forum, ministries, and other agencies to secure support for disaster response, Laka Lena said.

“We have coordinated with the BNPB (National Disaster Mitigation Agency) chief and the social affairs, health, public works, transportation, state secretary, and basic education ministers,” he said.

Meanwhile, BNPB Chief Suharyanto and a team are expected to travel to Flores on Sunday (August 16) to support the initial response and assist affected communities, he said.

The governor said police and military units had prepared personnel for deployment to Flores to support emergency operations and assist affected residents.

Personnel from the East Nusa Tenggara police, Army’s 161/Wira Sakti Regional Military Command, Navy Regional Command VII, and El Tari Air Base were deployed to Flores.

“We have also received confirmation from the police chief, Army regional commander, Navy commander, and air base commander that teams are ready to deploy to Flores,” he said.