The number of people killed in a deadly landslide in Indonesia’s West Java region has risen to 74, nearly two weeks after heavy rainfall triggered the disaster, authorities confirmed on Friday.
The landslide struck Pasirlangu village in the West Bandung area on January 24, sweeping through a mountain settlement, burying dozens of houses and forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes.
Rescue efforts have involved thousands of personnel, including search and rescue teams, police, military forces and volunteers, who have been combing through thick mud and debris using both manual tools and heavy machinery.
The local search and rescue agency said 74 victims had so far been identified, while the search for missing persons continues.
“There are still a number of residents on the missing persons list who have not yet been found,” said the agency’s head, Ade Dian Permana, declining to specify how many remain unaccounted for.
Permana noted that difficult weather conditions continue to hamper operations.
“Weather conditions remain the main challenge, with thick fog and rain still covering the search area, significantly impacting visibility and stability in the area,” he said.
He added that rescue operations had now shifted into the recovery phase, though searches would continue with adjustments.
The Indonesian navy earlier confirmed that 23 of its personnel who were undergoing training in the area were among those affected by the landslide.
Local authorities reported that about 50 houses were damaged in the disaster, while more than 160 people remain displaced.
Indonesian officials have previously warned that deforestation has worsened the impact of flooding and landslides, particularly following last year’s disasters on Sumatra that claimed around 1,200 lives and displaced over 240,000 people.
Such natural disasters are frequent across Indonesia during the rainy season, which typically lasts from October to March.
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