Flights Resume Normally After Earthquake Hit East Nusa Tenggara

TheIndonesia.id - AirNav Indonesia confirmed flights still run normally after 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Tuesday, December 14, at 11.20 Central Indonesia Time (WITA).

The agency said that flights in Maluku, NTT, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi can still safely operate even though those areas were included in tsunami warning issued by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) after the initial earthquake.

“AirNav Indonesia can confirm that up until now, flight operational in those locations continue to run normally,” public relations manager at AirNav Indonesia Yohannes Sirait said in a statement.

The Agency also coordinated with local units in several areas and confirmed that personnel, infrastructures, and equipment didn’t suffer from any damage.

Previously, BMKG said the epicenter was located at 112 km northwest at the city of Larantuka in NTT, and the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km.

BMKG then issued early tsunami warning in northern East Flores but ended it two hours later.

Evacuation is underway in impacted regions afterwards. Head of Selayar Islands regency Basli Ali said evacuation in two subdistricts is being carried out, including in two islands located near Flores, which are Pasilambena and Pasimarannu islands.

However, communication was impacted by the disaster, and Ali admitted monitoring effort, in turn, has also been impacted.

“Pasilambena is very close to Flores, only 80 km. I haven’t learned of the most recent situations because I haven’t been able to make contact. I have ordered the Disaster Mitigation Office [BPBD] to go to the location,” Ali said.

Selayar local government has also established shelters as many buildings were destroyed post-earthquake.

He warned residents whose house was damaged to stay in shelters instead of returning home because there’s still possibility of aftershocks.

BMKG reported at least 15 aftershocks have occurred after the initial earthquake.