Flores quake deaths in evacuation shelters spur calls for Indonesia audit

Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia — Indonesia’s disaster agency has acknowledged that most deaths linked to the August 15 magnitude 7.7 earthquake on Flores occurred after the disaster in evacuation shelters, prompting lawmakers and public health advocates to call for a formal audit of the emergency response.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), 94 of a total 142 recorded fatalities tied to the Flores earthquake died while staying in evacuation centers in the weeks after the quake, while 48 people were killed directly by the shaking and its immediate impacts.

BNPB acting spokesperson Berton SP Panjaitan outlined the figures at a press briefing in Jakarta, saying the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Flores on August 15 had triggered brief tsunami alerts and widespread damage across East Nusa Tenggara province.

The agency’s breakdown distinguishes between deaths caused by collapsing structures and other direct impacts of the earthquake, and deaths attributed to indirect causes such as illness, stress, and complications experienced in crowded shelters. Previous BNPB updates released on September 3 and September 10 had reported 127 and then 135 fatalities, with roughly one-third classified as direct impacts and the rest as indirect, indicating that the toll among evacuees rose over time.

Calls for audit of shelter conditions

The high number of deaths in evacuation centers has sparked criticism from lawmakers and raised questions over the adequacy of post-disaster care.

Deputy chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR), Charles Honoris, said the fact that more people died after taking shelter than during the earthquake itself showed the need for an audit of how victims were handled and the conditions inside evacuation facilities.

Speaking at the parliament complex in Jakarta, Charles said the government must review health services, sanitation, and protection measures in shelters to understand why mortality among evacuees was so high and to prevent similar outcomes in future disasters.

BNPB data and evolving casualty figures

BNPB’s figures for the Flores earthquake have been updated several times as field reports from regencies across East Nusa Tenggara were consolidated.

Data published by the agency and summarized by national media on September 3 recorded 127 deaths, with Manggarai and East Manggarai regencies reporting the highest numbers, and more than 1,700 people suffering injuries or illnesses. By September 10, BNPB reported 135 fatalities, of which 48 were attributed to direct impacts of the quake and 87 to indirect causes, along with over 60,000 people displaced.

The latest figures cited by The Jakarta Post and reiterated by members of parliament put the death toll at 142, with 94 people dying in evacuation shelters. The increase underscores both the scale of displacement after the quake and the vulnerability of evacuees living for weeks in temporary conditions.

Displacement and health concerns in Flores

The August 15 earthquake damaged homes and public facilities across Flores, forcing tens of thousands of residents into makeshift shelters set up in schools, fields and community halls.

BNPB reports cited by local outlets describe large numbers of people living in crowded conditions with limited access to clean water, sanitation and medical care, factors that public health officials say heighten the risk of respiratory infections, diarrheal disease and complications for those with chronic illnesses.

With evacuation figures and mortality still under review, lawmakers and disaster experts are pressing for a comprehensive investigation into how evacuation centers were managed in Flores, and whether standards for shelter safety and health care were adequately enforced.

Sources

• The Jakarta Post – NTT earthquake death figures prompt calls for investigation
• VOI – 94 People Died in the Evacuation, Commission IX of the DPR Asked the Government to Audit the Handling of Earthquake Victims in NTT
• RRI – Tragedi Gempa NTT, Korban Meninggal Capai 135 Orang, Ini Rincian Data BNPB
• Katadata Databoks – Update on NTT Earthquake Victims: 127 Dead (September 3, 2026)