Search operations for the 32 individuals still missing following a devastating landslide in Indonesia's West Java province were significantly hampered by persistent rainfall on Wednesday morning, according to the country's disaster mitigation agency. The agency also announced a grim update, raising the official death toll from the catastrophe to 34 people.
Landslide Details and Location
The landslide struck Pasir Langu village, located in the Bandung Barat region, early on Saturday. The disaster was triggered by heavy rains that began a day earlier, saturating the soil in the hilly area. The village is situated approximately 100 kilometers (62.14 miles) southeast of Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta, in a province known for its rugged terrain.
Challenging Search and Rescue Efforts
Abdul Muhari, the spokesperson for the disaster mitigation agency, informed Reuters that while rain was falling at the landslide site on Wednesday morning, all rescuers remained on standby, prepared to continue the search operations as soon as conditions permit. "It's raining in the landslide site this morning, but all the rescuers are ready to continue the search, waiting for the right timing," Muhari stated, highlighting the difficult circumstances faced by emergency personnel.
The death toll has now increased to 34, up from a previous count of 20 fatalities. In a positive note, 23 people have been confirmed to have survived the landslide. However, confusion arose as the Indonesian Navy reported on Tuesday that 23 soldiers were killed while conducting border patrol training. Muhari clarified that it was not immediately clear whether these military casualties were included in the latest death toll figure, adding complexity to the situation.
Identification and Rescue Deployment
Muhari further explained that a dedicated team is currently working at the scene to identify the bodies recovered by rescuers, a crucial step for notifying families and managing the aftermath. The scale of the rescue operation is substantial, with at least 800 personnel, including rescuers, military, and police, deployed to locate the remaining missing individuals. They are supported by nine excavators to aid in the search through the debris.
In terms of evacuation efforts, the disaster mitigation agency reported earlier that nearly 700 residents from the affected Pasir Langu village have been safely relocated to local government buildings. This move aims to provide shelter and prevent further casualties as the area remains unstable due to the landslide and ongoing weather conditions.
The situation underscores the severe impact of natural disasters in Indonesia, particularly in vulnerable regions like West Java, where heavy rains can lead to tragic events such as landslides. Authorities continue to monitor the weather closely to resume search operations at the earliest opportunity.
