Cilacap: At least 18 people have died and dozens are still missing after heavy rain triggered two major landslides in Indonesia’s Central Java province. Rescue teams are working through deep layers of mud and broken earth as they search for survivors in dangerous conditions.

The first landslide struck Cibeunying village in Cilacap district, where several houses were buried. Authorities confirmed that 16 people died in this location alone, while seven others remain missing. Many victims are believed to be trapped under debris that in some places is between three and eight metres deep, making rescue work slow and risky.

In a separate incident in Banjarnegara district, another landslide killed two people and left 27 missing. Around 30 homes and surrounding farmland were damaged as masses of soil slid down the hillside after hours of rainfall.

Emergency workers, supported by excavators and heavy machinery, are digging through the unstable ground, but continuous rain is adding to the danger. Officials say the wet season, which lasts from September to April, increases the chance of further landslides and flooding.

Local authorities have urged residents in nearby high risk areas to remain alert. The government is also assessing the impact on families who have lost their homes and livelihoods, with many expected to need temporary shelter and long term support.

Rescue operations are expected to continue for several days as teams work to locate the missing and stabilise the affected areas.