Jakarta: A powerful landslide in Indonesia’s West Java province has killed at least seven people and left 82 others missing, disaster officials said on Saturday, as rescue teams race against time to find survivors.
The landslide struck a village in West Bandung regency after days of heavy rainfall weakened the soil on a hillside. Thick mud and rocks swept through residential areas in the early hours of the morning, burying houses and trapping people inside.
Indonesia’s national disaster mitigation agency said search and rescue teams, including soldiers, police and volunteers, were deployed to the area. Heavy equipment has been brought in to clear debris, but operations are slow because of unstable ground and the risk of further landslides.
Officials said around 30 homes were damaged or buried by the mud. Many of those reported missing are believed to have been asleep when the landslide hit.
Residents described hearing a loud rumbling sound before the hillside collapsed. Some survivors were pulled out with injuries and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Authorities have warned that more rain is expected in the region, which could worsen conditions and delay rescue work. Emergency shelters have been set up for displaced families, and food and medical aid are being distributed.
Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia during the rainy season, especially in mountainous and hilly areas where soil becomes unstable after prolonged rainfall. Officials urged people living in high risk zones to stay alert and follow evacuation instructions.