Emergency workers stopped to pick up patients, including one on a stretcher. The exact location of the pickup could not be independently verified.

The three victims were flown by a Dauphin AS 365 N3+ helicopter from the Satar Kampas command post to Komodo International Airport in East Manggarai Regency.

"We received information that several victims suffered fractures, and we needed to evacuate them as soon as possible from East Manggarai," Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) chief Air Marshal Mohammad Syafii said.

"This morning we are also pushing forward several medical personnel – doctors, nurses, pharmacists – and medical supplies. These must reach East Manggarai immediately, as the land journey from Labuan Bajo takes over seven hours. Hopefully, with this helicopter, we can reach the site in 25 minutes."

According to local media , the helicopter reached the Satar Kampas command post at 10:28 local time and landed at Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo at 11:00 with the three patients. They were then taken to hospital with medical personnel.

The three victims, including a five-year-old girl, were residents of Haju Wangi and Satar Padut villages in East Manggarai. They suffered fractures and dislocations, according to Basarnas.

The earthquake struck Flores, in East Nusa Tenggara, on August 15. Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) measured it at magnitude 7.7 and said the shallow quake was caused by activity along the Flores Back-Arc Thrust.

Tsunami waves were recorded at several coastal locations, reaching around 1.6 metres at Pota in East Manggarai.

Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said 68 people had been confirmed dead by Monday, including 24 in East Manggarai, while 213 people were injured across the affected region.

Panicked guests rushed out of the Sylvia Hotel moments after the aftershock and gathered outside as staff assessed the situation.

"Yes, it seems to be an aftershock. The earthquake was quite strong as well," hotel staff member Richard said after guests evacuated the building.

At Hillers Regional General Hospital, patients are being treated under emergency tents. Relatives remain by their side as nurses care for the injured.

Earthquake survivor Karlina is receiving treatment for injuries sustained during Saturday's earthquake. She said she had escaped outside before realising her child was still inside the building.

"Once I came back outside, the earthquake was incredibly strong, the ground was shaking violently, and eventually, I fell," she said.

Hospital director Dr Paulus Lameng said continued aftershocks are preventing patients from returning to the main building.

"Our main challenge is the condition of the building structure, which still needs to be assessed by the Public Works Agency," he explained.

"We are treating patients in the hospital yard using tents. We have sufficient medicines and equipment, but we urgently need additional support, particularly an orthopaedic doctor and a neurosurgeon," he added.

Manggarai was among the areas hit by the earthquake. Landslides struck communities across Flores, while buildings collapsed and roads were badly damaged. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, along with schools , health facilities and other public buildings.

Indonesia's disaster response remains in operation after Saturday's magnitude 7.7 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks killed at least 54 people , injured 135 others and displaced nearly 7,700 residents across East Nusa Tenggara.

More than 1,300 homes, schools and public facilities have been damaged. Emergency teams continue to deliver food, clean water , medical supplies and temporary shelters to affected communities.

Authorities have recorded nearly 1,000 aftershocks since the main earthquake, including Monday morning's magnitude 5.7 tremor. The continued shaking is complicating rescue and recovery operations.

A 14-day state of emergency remains in force as structural inspections continue and thousands of displaced residents remain in temporary shelters.