Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto offered prayers on Monday for victims of a devastating earthquake that killed at least 53 people, as the country marked its 81st Independence Day.
Prabowo paid tribute to the victims shortly before observing a moment of silence during the national Independence Day ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, according to Kompas TV.
The president also used the occasion to honour those who sacrificed their lives for Indonesia’s independence.
“Let us observe a moment of silence to remember the souls and services of the heroes of our nation’s independence who sacrificed their lives and bodies for the independence and honor of the Indonesian nation,” Prabowo said.
He extended his prayers to communities affected by natural disasters in Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara and other parts of the country.
The tribute followed a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara over the weekend, causing widespread destruction.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said on Sunday that the earthquake had killed 53 people and injured 135, according to the Okezone news website.
The agency also reported that 154 houses had been damaged in the disaster.