Hundreds of rescuers are combing through thick mud and debris in Indonesia after a devastating landslide killed at least 19 people and left seven others missing in Central Java province.
The landslide, triggered by torrential rains in a mountainous area near Pekalongan city on Monday, destroyed bridges, buried vehicles, and engulfed homes.
The joint search and rescue team managed to find and evacuate two bodies this morning, bringing the death toll to 19,” said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, BNPB. “The number of missing persons has been reduced to seven.
The disaster also left 13 injured, according to a statement from Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, Basarnas.
Heavy machinery has been deployed to clear access roads for emergency teams while about 200 personnel from various agencies, including police, soldiers, and volunteers, are working tirelessly to locate survivors.
Local official, Mohammad Yulian Akbar confirmed that the worst-hit area was Kasimpar village, where a coffee shop sheltering people from the rain was struck by the landslide.
Efforts have been complicated by ongoing rainfall, which intermittently halted searches on Tuesday. Weather forecasts predict moderate rain in the coming days, raising concerns about additional floods or landslides, warned BNPB’s Muhari.
Local authorities have declared a two-week state of emergency in the district. “The focus remains on searching for victims and providing aid to affected residents,” Akbar stated.
Indonesia frequently experiences landslides during its rainy season, which spans November to April. However, the increasing intensity and unpredictability of such disasters have been linked to climate change, which has amplified storms and rainfall.
In May 2024, flash floods in West Sumatra caused by heavy rains and volcanic debris from Mount Marapi claimed 67 lives.
The tragedy has sparked widespread mourning across Indonesia. Efforts to support affected families are underway, with emergency shelters and aid being provided to those displaced by the disaster.
Officials continue to urge vigilance as rescue operations persist in a race against time to find any remaining survivors.
