Kathmandu— A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck the eastern Indonesian region of East Nusa Tenggara province on Saturday, killing at least 68 people and injuring over 200 more as of Monday evening. Thousands remain displaced, with many camping outside their damaged homes or seeking shelter in temporary facilities while awaiting crucial aid deliveries. Rescue teams are continuing to search for survivors amidst collapsed buildings, and the Indonesian government has declared a 14-day state of emergency to facilitate relief efforts.

Rising Death Toll and Widespread Damage

The death toll from Saturday’s earthquake was revised upwards to 68 on Monday, according to Berton SP Panjaitan, an official at Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency. More than 200 people have been injured across the affected region. The quake caused significant damage to infrastructure, with over 1,300 homes damaged and nearly 250 destroyed on Flores island alone. Dozens of public buildings, including schools, health facilities, and government offices, were also impacted by the disaster.

Aid Delivery Challenges

Approximately 12,800 people are currently unable to return home and are sheltering in temporary accommodations across several towns on Flores. Residents like Junaidin, a resident of Mbay, expressed frustration over the slow arrival of aid, stating, “Our houses are no longer liveable… As for help from the government, there hasn’t been any – no tents, no medicine, no food, no drinking water, nothing.” The Indonesian air force has begun delivering 13 tonnes of emergency supplies via Hercules transport planes and a Boeing aircraft, with helicopters also deployed to reach isolated communities. The military is assisting with distribution in key areas.

Emergency Medical Response

Deputy Health Minister Benjamin Paulus Octavianus announced plans to establish emergency field hospitals to treat the injured. In Ruteng, medical staff were forced to quickly set up a tent hospital after the local facility sustained damage. Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington reported that while doctors have sufficient medicine, they lack essential equipment for blood tests and X-rays, forcing them to provide care under difficult conditions. She also noted the challenges of treating elderly patients exposed to both intense heat and cold temperatures.

Historical Context and Seismic Activity

The earthquake has evoked painful memories for some residents of a devastating 1992 quake and tsunami that struck Flores, killing approximately 2,500 people. Indonesia is situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The region experienced one of its deadliest natural disasters in 2004 when a magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami that claimed an estimated 220,000 lives across the Indian Ocean, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

Rescuers continue to search for potential victims despite no current reports of missing persons. The Indonesian government and aid organizations are working to accelerate the delivery of essential supplies and medical care to those affected by the earthquake.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.