Indonesia resumes search for dozens of missing following landslide disaster

Rescue Efforts Resume in West Java After Landslide Death Toll Rises to 10

Rescuers have resumed searching for approximately 80 individuals still unaccounted for after a deadly landslide in a residential area of West Java province on Saturday. The death toll from the incident, triggered by heavy rain, has increased to 10, according to state-run media.

The landslide occurred early on Saturday morning in West Bandung’s Pasir Langu village, forcing dozens of people to evacuate their homes. Heavy rain and unstable terrain hindered rescue efforts on Saturday, with authorities citing difficulties in deploying heavy machinery. Rescuers have been excavating manually, assisted by the military, police, and volunteers.

According to reports, floods were also reported in other areas, including the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Residents in affected regions have been evacuated to higher ground or unaffected places. A resident of Pasir Langu village described the landslide as a rare occurrence, stating that it was triggered by heavy rain from the forest rather than nearby river.

The national rescue agency has confirmed that drones and canine units are being deployed to scour the area for victims. West Bandung’s mayor had warned on Saturday about the challenging terrain and unstable ground conditions. The incident is part of a larger pattern of flooding and landslides during Indonesia’s rainy season, which typically runs from October to March.

In recent years, environmentalists and experts have highlighted the role of forest loss in exacerbating these disasters. The government has filed lawsuits against several firms seeking damages related to the 2022 floods on Sumatra island, which killed over 1,200 people and displaced more than 240,000.

Source: Al Jazeera