Indonesian authorities on Sunday raised the death toll to 53 and the number of injured to 135 after the strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake that shook the coast of Flores Island, in the east of the archipelago, on Saturday, as authorities continue search and rescue efforts.
[5,000 Displaced After Deadly 7.7-Magnitude Indonesia Quake: Indonesia Death Toll Rises to 53, Wounded to 135](https://www.telesurenglish.net/indonesia-death-toll-rises-to-53-wounded-to-135/)
The Local Disaster Management Agency (BPBD, for its acronym in Indonesian) reported in its latest balance a total of 53 deceased, with fatalities in the districts of Manggarai (25), East Manggarai (20), Sikka (4), Ende (2), Nagekeo (1) and West Manggarai (1).
A total of 135 people were injured in these localities, with more than fifty in serious condition, indicated the BPBD, which did not report any missing persons among the rubble.
“The impact has been significant,” said the provincial governor, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, in a statement, who assured that “many citizens have died or been injured; homes and public facilities have been damaged; and community activities have been interrupted.”
Roads gone, rescue goes on – Landslides hamper response after magnitude 7.7 Indonesia earthquake kills at least 53 pic.twitter.com/IzKTtJccsY
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“We are focusing on the search and evacuation of victims, health services, the supply of basic necessities and shelters, and the restoration of access to affected transport and infrastructure,” he added.
More than 5,000 residents of the Indonesian island of Flores remain displaced this Sunday, as authorities continue to collect and verify data on evacuated people, some in public evacuation centers and others staying with family or acquaintances.
The earthquake, which occurred near 6:00 a.m. local time on Saturday (10:00 p.m. GMT on Friday) with the epicenter about 62 kilometers northwest of Ende, the most populated city on Flores, also caused serious material damage on the island. Of a total of 995 aftershocks, 46 were perceived by the population.
According to the latest BPBD balance, 154 homes suffered serious damage, 49 moderate damage and 38 minor damage, although in previous statements the agency had placed the number of affected buildings at more than a thousand.
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