Indonesia earthquake kills 54, displaces 12,800 on Flores island

By Monday morning, 12,800 people were displaced across several towns on Flores island, according to Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, spokesman for Indonesia's BNPB national disaster agency. Many residents are sleeping outdoors for a third night due to over 1,600 aftershocks and fear of returning to damaged homes. Residents like Junaidin, 32, from Mbay, expressed frustration over the perceived delay in aid, stating that there has been no government assistance in terms of tents, medicine, food, or water.

The Indonesian Air Force is deploying two Hercules planes and a Boeing with 13 tonnes of emergency aid, including food, clothes, clean water, and medical equipment. Helicopters are also being used to deliver supplies to isolated communities. The military has deployed personnel to assist with distribution.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, though no missing persons have been reported. The shallow quake's epicenter was off the north coast of Flores, and at least 914 houses were severely damaged, along with dozens of public buildings. Save the Children reported that over 8,000 children face safety risks and educational disruptions.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location in the Pacific "Ring of Fire".