A devastating landslide has claimed the lives of at least seven people in Indonesia’s West Java province, with dozens more still missing, authorities have reported.
The tragic incident occurred in the West Bandung region, southeast of the capital Jakarta, following days of intense rainfall. According to the country’s disaster mitigation agency, more than thirty homes were destroyed as “landslide material buried residential areas, causing fatalities and affecting local residents”.
Rescue efforts are currently underway, with two dozen people safely evacuated from the affected region so far. Abdul Muhari, the communication chief of the National Search Agency, confirmed that the landslide hit the village of Pasirlangu around 2:30 AM on Saturday (19:30 GMT).
Heartbreaking images shared by local news outlets show homes buried under a thick layer of mud and debris, highlighting the sheer force of the landslide. Flooding, landslides, and extreme weather alerts have also been issued for the broader region, as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster.
Tragically, this is not the first time Indonesia has faced such a devastating natural calamity. The archipelago nation is particularly prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather events, due to its unique geographical location.
In recent years, the country has experienced a number of deadly landslides, often triggered by heavy rains and deforestation. The latest incident in West Java serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by communities in the region, as they strive to adapt to the changing climate and environmental conditions.
As the search and rescue efforts continue, the thoughts of the nation are with the victims and their families, who are now left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives in the wake of this tragic event.
