At least 68 people have been killed and over 200 injured following a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Indonesia, prompting an ongoing search for victims believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings. The death toll was revised upward on Monday.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated and are sheltering in tents, fearing aftershocks and the risk of returning to damaged homes. The earthquake has cast a shadow over Indonesia's Independence Day celebrations, with residents of East Nusa Tenggara province experiencing nearly 1,600 aftershocks as of Monday.

Officials from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported the updated figures, noting that the search efforts are being hampered by landslides and blocked roads across the country's southernmost province. Around 500 homes have been reported damaged.

Authorities are preparing aircraft to deliver essential aid, including food and tents, to the affected areas. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6 according to the country's geophysics agency, also triggered landslides that obstructed crucial transportation routes in districts like Sikka and Manggarai.

This disaster is the country's deadliest since a 2022 earthquake claimed hundreds of lives in West Java. The 7.7-magnitude quake on Saturday has displaced thousands, with many left to cope with the immediate aftermath and the uncertainty of further seismic activity.

The BNPB has been coordinating relief efforts, but the scale of destruction, including damaged mosques and homes, presents significant challenges. Emergency medical treatment is being provided in temporary tent facilities, such as at the Santo Gabriel Kewapante Hospital in Sikka.

Rescuers face a difficult task as they sift through the rubble of collapsed structures in villages like Satar Kampas, searching for any signs of life. The event has highlighted the vulnerability of communities in earthquake-prone regions and the critical need for swift and effective disaster response.

Questions remain about the full extent of the damage and the long-term recovery needs of the affected populations. The coming days will be crucial for assessing the situation and ensuring that aid reaches all those in need.