Cilacap: A landslide triggered by days of heavy rain has killed at least six people in Central Java’s Cilacap district, while search teams are still looking for seventeen others who remain missing. The disaster struck on Thursday evening in Cibeunying village when a hillside collapsed and buried around a dozen homes under deep layers of soil.

Rescue officials said the missing residents may be trapped beneath three to eight metres of mud, making the operation difficult and dangerous. The ground in the area remains unstable due to continuous rain, forcing teams to work cautiously as they remove debris.

Local authorities reported that the rains are part of the seasonal wet period that often brings floods and landslides to hilly parts of Indonesia. Earlier reports from different outlets showed varying figures of casualties, but the latest update from Indonesia’s national disaster agency confirms six deaths and seventeen missing.

Workers from the military, police and local emergency units have joined villagers in the search effort. Officials fear the toll could rise as the rescue operation continues.

Indonesia frequently faces landslides during the rainy season, especially in regions where steep terrain and intense rainfall combine to weaken soil structures. Authorities are monitoring nearby villages for potential risks as heavy rain is expected to continue in the coming days.