August 16, 2026 | 06:55 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The European Union is ready to support Indonesia’s search-and-rescue efforts following a powerful earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia, by deploying its Copernicus satellite system, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
“From solidarity to action, Europe is always ready to deploy Copernicus, our eyes in the sky, to support search and rescue efforts. Indonesia, we stand with you,” von der Leyen said in a post on X on Saturday.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of East Nusa Tenggara, a province in eastern Indonesia, on Friday night, August 14, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens of others, according to local rescue authorities.
Rescue teams are continuing to search for victims trapped under collapsed buildings, while landslides, damaged infrastructure and communication disruptions have complicated emergency operations.
The earthquake also triggered a small tsunami, with waves measuring less than 1 meter. Authorities briefly issued a tsunami warning following the quake before lifting it.
The European Commission said Copernicus could provide satellite-based data to support Indonesia’s response to the disaster.
Copernicus, the EU’s Earth observation program, can provide rapid satellite mapping of disaster-hit areas, helping authorities assess damage, identify affected locations and support search-and-rescue operations.
The offer comes as Indonesian authorities continue emergency response efforts in East Nusa Tenggara, where the earthquake caused damage and disrupted access to several affected areas.
25 Years Ohrid Agreement: Is N. Macedonia's Peace Holding?
3 hari lalu
A quarter of a century after the Ohrid Framework Agreement ended North Macedonia's 2001 conflict, analysts warn that peace remains fragile.
EU Waste Packaging Rules: Why Small Businesses Are Worried
3 hari lalu
The EU has introduced new rules targeting packaging waste and "forever chemicals."
Germany Reportedly Tightens Migrant Returns
6 hari lalu
Germany has reportedly hardened its stance on the return of migrants and intends to resume migrant transfers to Italy and Greece.
EU Holds Talks with Big Tech over Ceuta Misinformation
8 hari lalu
EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen has called for closer monitoring of social media platforms moving forward.
EU Agrees to Send Border Aid to Spain After Ceuta Talks
12 hari lalu
Spain's Interior Minister says the Schengen Area was "in no way" compromised during the Ceuta border incursion.
Ceuta: EU Calls Borders a 'Shared European Responsibility'
12 hari lalu
European Commission President told Spain's PM that border security in Ceuta is a "shared European responsibility."
Spain Demands EU Solidarity over Ceuta Migration Crisis
13 hari lalu
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares calls for EU solidarity to address the unfolding migration crisis in Ceuta.
On the Front Line of Europe's Battle Against Wildfires
14 hari lalu
French firefighters have won out over a massive blaze, with almost 200,000 evacuees returning home. But Europe's wildfire season is far from over.
EU Aims to Build AI Gigafactories of Its Own
16 hari lalu
The EU has unveiled a plan to raise state and private funds to hyperscale AI capabilities and gain independence from non-European governments.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Siberian Oil
21 hari lalu
Oil imports from Russia proceed even as advanced economies extend sanctions against Moscow. Further processing mechanisms are needed.
