Landslide death toll in Indonesia rises to 30, dozens missing

The death toll from landslides in two regions of Indonesia’s Central Java province has risen to 30, Reuters reports, citing the country’s disaster mitigation agency on November 21, as search and rescue operations continue.

Heavy rainfall triggered the landslides that struck the city of Cilacap last week and the Banjarnegara region over the weekend. According to the agency, 21 people are still missing.

In Banjarnegara, the worst-affected area, rescuers recovered seven additional bodies on Thursday, bringing the confirmed death toll there to 10. Eighteen people remain unaccounted for, Abdul Muhari, the agency’s spokesperson, said in a statement late on Thursday.

“Dozens of homes were damaged, seven people were injured, and more than 900 residents have been evacuated following the landslides,” Muhari added.

At least 700 rescuers, including police and military personnel, are continuing the search for the missing, with excavators deployed to accelerate recovery efforts. “We face several obstacles in the search, particularly with landslide ponds filled with debris and continuously flowing waters. There is also a risk of new landslides due to ongoing rains,” Muhari said.

In Cilacap, rescuers discovered four additional bodies this week, raising the death toll there to 20. Three people are still missing in the area. Authorities have extended search operations until next week, and nearly 400 residents have been evacuated from affected areas.

Indonesia’s wet season, which began in September and lasts until April, has increased the risk of floods and extreme rainfall across many regions, according to the country’s weather agency.

By Tamilla Hasanova