Helicopter evacuates seven NTT quake victims to Komodo Hospital

Labuan Bajo — Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency Basarnas has carried out helicopter evacuations of seven seriously injured victims of the 7.7‑magnitude earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara to Komodo Hospital in Labuan Bajo, as part of an ongoing multi‑agency disaster response in Flores.

Basarnas chief Marshal Madya TNI Mohammad Syafii said the seven patients, all with severe trauma related to building collapses, were flown from Manggarai Timur to RSUD Pratama Komodo in Labuan Bajo on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, for emergency treatment, according to national media reports citing his official statement.

Syafii said the evacuation was conducted in two air sorties using a Dauphin AS 365 N3+ helicopter operated by Basarnas. The first flight, at around 11:00 WITA, carried three patients and medical personnel, including a five‑year‑old girl, while the second flight, completed by about 15:00 WITA, transported four additional patients.

According to Syafii, the seven victims suffered multiple serious injuries, including fractures, dislocations, vertebral (spinal) trauma and severe hand wounds. He said the air transfers were prioritised for patients requiring urgent surgical and specialist care, with Komodo Hospital designated as the referral facility.

Helicopter evacuation amid access constraints

Basarnas positioned the Dauphin helicopter close to affected areas in Manggarai and Manggarai Timur to overcome disrupted land access and accelerate transfers to Labuan Bajo, Syafii said. He described the missions as part of efforts to “speed up” evacuation for critical cases from remote and damaged locations following the quake.

Indonesian media reporting on Syafii’s statement did not detail the exact villages from which the seven patients were flown, nor specify road segments that were impassable. However, the Basarnas chief emphasised that air routes were necessary because conventional overland transport was insufficient for some seriously injured victims in the aftermath of the disaster.

In parallel, Basarnas has also deployed maritime assets to support search and rescue in coastal and island communities, including the KN SAR Antareja vessel, together with elements of the Indonesian military, police and volunteer rescuers, according to national coverage of the agency’s operations. Additional medical teams have been mobilised to reinforce health services for earthquake victims in Flores.

Broader impact of the Flores earthquake

The helicopter evacuations took place as authorities continued to assess the impact of the 7.7‑magnitude earthquake that struck Nusa Tenggara Timur on Saturday, 15 August 2026. The epicentre was reported in the Flores region, affecting districts including Manggarai, Manggarai Timur, Sikka, Ngada, Nagekeo, Ende and Manggarai Barat.

Data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in the days after the quake show a rising death toll and widespread damage. An update on 16 August cited 53 fatalities across Flores, with the highest numbers in Manggarai and Manggarai Timur, and at least 137 people injured. A further BNPB update reported 47 deaths and more than 5,000 people displaced as of 15–16 August.

By 21 August, BNPB figures compiled by national outlets indicated at least 83 people had died and more than 110,000 residents were taking shelter, either independently or in evacuation centres. Later briefings reported more than 100 fatalities and tens of thousands of displaced people as aftershocks continued across the region.

The earthquake and its aftershocks also damaged hundreds of buildings and public facilities. BNPB reporting through local media cited heavy, moderate and light damage to houses and impacts on schools, health facilities and government offices in multiple districts, with Manggarai and Manggarai Timur among the hardest hit.

While detailed information on RSUD Pratama Komodo’s capacity during the emergency has not been released, national coverage confirms that the hospital in Labuan Bajo served as a key referral centre for patients with serious trauma from Manggarai Timur, including the seven victims evacuated by Basarnas helicopter on 18 August.

Sources

• VIVA.co.id – Basarnas Percepat Evakuasi Tujuh Korban Luka Berat Gempa NTT Pakai Helikopter
• BNPB – Gempa M7,7 Guncang NTT, 14 Orang Meninggal Dunia dan Puluhan Bangunan Rusak
• Media Indonesia – Korban Meninggal Gempa NTT Capai 83 Orang, Pengungsi Tembus 110.785 Jiwa
• NU Online – Sebulan Gempa NTT; 142 Meninggal Dunia, 1.603 Luka-Luka, 46 Ribu Warga Masih Mengungsi
• Okezone – Update! Korban Gempa M7,7 NTT: 111 Orang Meninggal, Pengungsi Turun 4.142 Jiwa
• JPNN – Data Jumlah Korban Meninggal akibat Gempa Flores 2026, Berikut Sebarannya
• Liputan6 – Update Gempa NTT: 47 Meninggal, Lebih dari 5.000 Orang Mengungsi
• IDN Times – Helikopter Dauphin Bolak-balik Evakuasi Korban Gempa Manggarai Timur