Indonesia Earthquake Kills 70, Displaces 40,000 As Children Receive Trauma Support

Thousands of people remained displaced on Indonesia’s Flores island on Tuesday, three days after a powerful earthquake killed at least 70 people, injured nearly 1,200 and damaged thousands of homes. More than 40,000 residents were sheltering in tents, evacuation centres and makeshift camps after the quake struck off Flores early Saturday. The disaster has also left many children struggling with fear and anxiety as repeated aftershocks continue to unsettle communities.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported that at least 11,925 homes were damaged across the affected areas. The earthquake also damaged 172 health facilities, 658 schools, 187 offices and 172 places of worship, according to the local disaster agency. The 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of about 10 kilometres shortly before 6 am, according to the US Geological Survey, prompting residents to flee as tsunami warnings were issued and later lifted. Authorities recorded more than 2,100 aftershocks by Tuesday, although only 70 were felt by residents.

The emotional impact has been particularly visible among children staying in evacuation camps. Under tarpaulin shelters, children have been encouraged to participate in games, educational activities and group sessions while aid workers provide food, medical assistance and psychosocial support. Local police have also organised trauma-support programmes in several camps, as parents report that some children remain afraid to enter buildings or wake up frightened when aftershocks shake the island.

Also Read: Kejriwal’s Independence Day Message: ‘Our Children Now Fight For Their Rights’

In Lamba Leda, one of the hardest-hit areas in East Manggarai regency, residents continue to cope with the destruction of their homes and the psychological effects of the disaster. Vincentius Rano and his wife instinctively ducked during an aftershock on Tuesday, while their young daughter began crying. Rano recalled how the earthquake struck shortly after the family had woken up, leaving them trapped when part of their timber house collapsed. The family survived, but Rano suffered injuries to his back and shoulder.

Authorities and volunteers are now focusing on helping survivors manage the emotional aftermath alongside the physical recovery. Local police chief Yudhi Franata said children were among those particularly affected, with trauma-healing sessions being organised to help them cope with fear. Police personnel deployed to Lamba Leda have also been conducting activities for children at evacuation camps, while offering psychological support to adults experiencing distress. Officials said recovery would require continued assistance as residents gradually rebuild their homes and communities.

Flores is part of Indonesia’s seismically active region, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent because the country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The island has also experienced major disasters in the past, including the 1992 Flores earthquake and tsunami, which killed about 2,500 people. The latest disaster has once again highlighted the vulnerability of communities across the island, with thousands still displaced and authorities working to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and the longer-term impact of the earthquake.

Also Read: Father Raised 4 Children Alone, Yet None Attended His Final Farewell