A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitude struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia on Saturday morning, resulting in at least 73 deaths and injuring more than 900 people. The disaster also displaced approximately 60,000 individuals from their homes. A landslide triggered by the seismic activity blocked road access to Nitunglea village, complicating rescue and relief efforts in the affected region.
Among the survivors is an 84-year-old woman named Paulina Pobi, who was discovered alive on Tuesday, three days after the earthquake, in the remains of her home. According to local officials, the woman had been paralyzed and unable to move or communicate, which delayed her discovery by family members. Upon extraction, authorities noted she remained in relatively good health despite her ordeal, though she was weakened from having no food or water during the three-day period. Regional police described her survival as remarkable.
Recovery and reconstruction efforts have begun on the island, with grocery stores, petrol stations, and other commercial establishments reopening. However, debris continues to obstruct streets and rescue teams are still searching through rubble for additional victims. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency reports that 398 tons of humanitarian assistance, including food, tents, and shelter materials, have been transported to impacted communities.
Distribution of aid has been hindered by Flores’ challenging mountainous geography and earthquake-damaged infrastructure. The government has deployed military resources including aircraft, ships, and personnel to support emergency operations in remote areas. Additionally, more than 3,000 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquake, with at least 86 strong enough to be felt by residents. These continuing tremors have deterred many displaced people from returning to their damaged residences.
Authorities have highlighted concerns about the psychological impact of the disaster on evacuated populations, particularly children. Indonesia’s vulnerability to seismic activity stems from its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterized by significant earthquake and volcanic activity. The nation experienced a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake in 2004 that triggered a tsunami causing approximately 220,000 deaths across the region.
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