Indonesia Celebrates 81st Independence Day as Quake Toll Rises
Indonesia marked its 81st Independence Day with a parade in Jakarta, even as the death toll from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake rose to 53.
Jakarta, August 17: Indonesia observed the 81st anniversary of its independence on Monday with a grand parade through the capital, even as the nation grappled with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck eastern regions.
Police officers on motorbikes, armed forces personnel, and mounted cavalry units took part in the procession, which wound through Jakarta with the National Monument as a backdrop. Crowds of people marched carrying flags, while performers entertained onlookers outside the presidential palace ahead of the flag-hoisting ceremony.
The festive atmosphere was tempered by the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in eastern Indonesia, where a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck over the weekend. On Sunday, rescue teams recovered six more bodies, bringing the official death toll to 53. Thousands of displaced residents continued to sleep outdoors, fearing aftershocks.
The dual events underscored the nation's resilience as it celebrated its independence while mourning the losses from the natural disaster.