**Search for Indonesia Earthquake Victims Underway on Independence Day**
Residents of eastern Indonesia are grappling with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that has claimed at least 54 lives. As the nation marks its Independence Day, the disaster has overshadowed celebrations, prompting urgent rescue efforts in the affected areas.
The earthquake, which struck on Monday morning, registered a magnitude of 5.6 and has been followed by nearly 1,600 aftershocks in the East Nusa Tenggara province, according to the local geophysics agency. The tremor has triggered landslides and blocked roads, particularly affecting the regions of Sikka and Manggarai.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes, many seeking refuge in makeshift tents outdoors. Fear of aftershocks has left them hesitant to return to their houses, which have been damaged or rendered uninhabitable. The disaster mitigation agency, known as BNPB, reported that approximately 500 homes have suffered significant damage.
In the village of Ende, a health center parking lot has turned into a makeshift medical facility, with tents and hospital beds set up to accommodate those in need. Firmus Woge, a 64-year-old farmer, is among the individuals receiving treatment for asthma exacerbated by the panic caused by the earthquake. “I had difficulty breathing overnight, but it’s getting worse again after this morning’s quake,” he stated.
The situation is dire for many residents. Emilianus Oro, a 56-year-old farmer from Ranukolo village, reported that around 70 residents, primarily women and children, are lacking access to clean water, leading to cases of diarrhoea among the young. He noted that one elderly resident had suffered a stroke, and the community has yet to receive any assistance.
Veronika Nggambi, a 22-year-old mother, expressed her distress as she cared for her baby in the back of a pickup truck. “I can only eat rice with nothing else,” she lamented, emphasizing the urgent need for aid. “We need assistance as soon as possible. We are just salt farmers.”
Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities focusing on aerial monitoring to locate any individuals still missing. Fathur Rahman, chief at the rescue office in Maumere, confirmed that there were no reports of missing persons and that the search efforts were proceeding without significant challenges. Plans are in place to deploy aircraft to deliver essential supplies, including food and tents, to the affected areas.
In addition to immediate aid, the Indonesian government is preparing to establish emergency field hospitals in several locations. Benjamin Paulus Octavianus, the deputy health minister, indicated that medical personnel, including neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons, are needed to treat injuries such as head trauma and broken bones.
As the nation commemorates its independence from Japanese rule in 1945, the mood in Jakarta, located approximately 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) west of the disaster zone, contrasts sharply with that of the earthquake-affected communities. President Prabowo Subianto led the Independence Day celebrations, while many in the disaster zone remain focused on survival and safety.
One local resident, Gervas, 42, shared his thoughts on the celebrations: “I don’t think about that anymore … I just think about the safety of my wife and 4-year-old twins.” His sentiment reflects the overwhelming concern for personal safety and the immediate needs of those affected by the earthquake.
As rescue efforts continue, the Indonesian government and various agencies are working to provide assistance to those in need, while the nation collectively mourns the loss and devastation brought about by this natural disaster.