Merdeka Group Deploys Emergency Response Team for Flores Earthquake Humanitarian Mission
Merdeka Group has deployed fifteen Emergency Response Group (ERG) personnel to support the emergency response to the earthquake disaster on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The team, comprising Emergency Response Team (ERT) personnel from five Merdeka Group sites, has joined the Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Disaster Response Post. They will support search and rescue (SAR), emergency response, and humanitarian efforts for communities affected by the disaster.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Flores region on Saturday morning, August 15, 2026. With the epicenter northeast of Nagekeo Regency, the tremors and their impacts spread across Alor, Ende, Ngada, and Maumere. Wae Bangka Village in Lembor District, West Manggarai Regency, was among the areas most severely affected. More than 2,700 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 6.2 to 1.1, were recorded through August 19, 2026.
Based on data from the Ministry of Health, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that the earthquake had claimed 70 lives and injured 1,182 people. A total of 11,925 houses were damaged, while the number of displaced people reached 40,040, including those seeking shelter independently and those staying at regional disaster management posts. BNPB has established an emergency response period of two to three weeks, focusing on rescuing victims, meeting basic needs, and restoring access and infrastructure.
To support these efforts, the Merdeka ERG team, together with teams from more than a dozen other companies, is participating in the humanitarian mission under the coordination of the ESDM Disaster Response Team, which coordinates various emergency response efforts, including personnel mobilization, search and rescue, medical support, logistical assistance, and communications.
The Merdeka ERG team was deployed to Ende City on Flores Island through two routes. ERT personnel from the Wetar Copper Mine, Sulawesi Cahaya Mineral (SCM) Mine, Pani Gold Mine, and AIM Plant (PT Merdeka Tsingshan Indonesia) took the Kupang route and departed on August 18, 2026.
After arriving in Kupang on Timor Island the following day, the team continued its journey by the Darma Rucitra vessel in accordance with the direction of ESDM Kupang. The eight-hour sea journey from Timor Island to Flores Island was taken because Ende Airport was reportedly still closed until August 19 at the time of their departure. Upon arriving in Ende City on Thursday, August 20, the team will proceed directly to ESDM Disaster Response Post 3 in Nagekeo Regency. There, all Merdeka ERG personnel traveling via the two routes will meet, including the team from PT Bumi Suksesindo (BSI) of the Tujuh Bukit Gold Mine in Banyuwangi. BSI ERT personnel had previously arrived in Labuan Bajo on Flores Island on August 18. The following day, they assisted at ESDM Disaster Response Post 1 in Lamba Leda District before proceeding to ESDM Disaster Response Post 3.
President Director of PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, Albert Saputro, said the ERG team’s involvement reflects Merdeka Group’s commitment to supporting communities in times of need. “In an emergency response situation like this, the presence and capabilities of our personnel are greatly needed,” he said. “We hope the Merdeka ERG team can support efforts to rescue and help affected communities recover.”
Representing the entire Merdeka ERG team, Siswoyo, OHS and CRM Assistant Manager at PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, expressed the team’s readiness. “We bring the emergency response capabilities and experience of our respective sites to provide support based on the needs on the ground,” he said. “Our priorities are safety, coordination, and providing the strongest possible support to affected communities.”
