Indonesia marked its 81st Independence Day today as communities on the island of Flores continued to mourn victims of a powerful earthquake that killed at least 55 people, injured more than 130 and damaged more than 1,300 homes.
While President Prabowo Subianto led national celebrations in Jakarta, thousands of residents in East Nusa Tenggara province spent the holiday in temporary shelters or sleeping outdoors after the earthquake damaged homes and triggered landslides across parts of Flores. The disaster has cast a sombre shadow over the country’s annual independence celebrations, with residents in affected communities focused on securing food, water, shelter and medical assistance rather than taking part in festivities.
At the Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Prabowo led the commemoration under the national theme, “Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia.” The President also called on participants to pray for communities affected by disasters in East Nusa Tenggara and elsewhere in the country. A nationwide moment of silence was held to honour Indonesia’s independence heroes.
The earthquake struck East Nusa Tenggara on Saturday, causing widespread damage across several communities. According to the National Disaster Management Agency, more than 1,300 homes have been damaged in the province, including nearly 250 on Flores alone. About 5,000 people have been forced into temporary shelters, while more than 130 people have been injured.
The provincial government declared a 14-day state of emergency on Sunday as authorities intensified rescue and relief operations. Many residents spent Sunday night under tarpaulins or in makeshift shelters outside their homes because of concerns that aftershocks could bring down already weakened structures.
Some communities remain difficult to reach because landslides have blocked roads and disrupted transport routes. Power outages and communication problems have also complicated efforts to assess damage and coordinate relief operations.
Relief Reaches Isolated Palue Island
Authorities have deployed more than 3,500 military and police personnel across the disaster zone, while approximately 275 tonnes of relief supplies have been sent to affected communities. However, getting the supplies to those who need them has proved challenging because of the mountainous terrain and the number of communities scattered across islands in the province.
Palue Island, located close to the earthquake’s epicentre, was among the areas that remained isolated after the disaster. Relief workers reached the island late Sunday after travelling by sea and then navigating roads affected by landslides. Deputy police chief of Sikka regency, Marselus Yugo Amboro, described the journey as extremely difficult. “The roads are steep and many were blocked by landslides. It was a near-death journey,” he said.
Initial assessments found extensive damage on the island. One person was killed, two others suffered serious injuries and nearly 150 homes were destroyed.The arrival of emergency teams allowed authorities to begin distributing supplies and assessing the needs of residents who had spent days with limited access to assistance.
East Nusa Tenggara’s geography presents a particular challenge for disaster response. The province consists of numerous islands and mountainous communities, meaning some areas can only be reached by boat or through roads vulnerable to landslides. Authorities are therefore prioritising the reopening of roads, restoring communications and electricity, and delivering essential supplies to communities that remain cut off.
The continued threat of aftershocks has also forced residents and emergency workers to exercise caution, particularly around damaged buildings. Officials are expected to continue assessing the structural damage and humanitarian needs as rescue and relief operations progress.
The earthquake has added a sombre dimension to Indonesia’s Independence Day, traditionally one of the country’s most significant national celebrations. While ceremonies, flag-raising events and other commemorations took place across the archipelago, families in parts of Flores were still searching for stability after losing homes and, in some cases, loved ones.
The disaster has also highlighted Indonesia’s vulnerability to natural hazards. The country lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a zone characterised by frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
For communities affected by Saturday’s earthquake, however, the immediate priority remains recovery. As Indonesia celebrated 81 years of independence, thousands of people on Flores remained displaced and dependent on emergency assistance. With roads damaged, homes destroyed and some communities still difficult to reach, authorities face the task of providing immediate relief while beginning the longer process of rebuilding.
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