Rescue teams in Indonesia are working tirelessly to find survivors after a devastating landslide struck Central Java province, killing at least 19 people and leaving seven others missing. The landslide, which occurred on Monday following heavy rains in a mountainous area near Pekalongan city, destroyed bridges, buried vehicles, and engulfed homes, triggering a large-scale search operation.
Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), reported that two additional bodies were found on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 19. The number of missing persons has now been reduced to seven. Thirteen others have been injured, with local authorities confirming the worst-hit area to be Kasimpar village, where a coffee shop, which was sheltering people from the rain, was buried by the landslide.
More than 200 rescuers, including police, military personnel, and volunteers, have been working around the clock to locate any survivors, despite heavy rainfall that has intermittently halted their efforts. To assist with the operation, heavy machinery has been deployed to clear access roads and ensure emergency teams can reach the affected areas.
Local authorities have declared a two-week state of emergency in the district. Mohammad Yulian Akbar, a local official, said the priority is to continue searching for victims while providing aid to displaced residents.
This disaster is part of a broader trend of intensified natural calamities in Indonesia, with landslides being a frequent occurrence during the country’s rainy season, which lasts from November to April. Climate change is believed to be contributing to the increasing severity and unpredictability of storms and rainfall in the region.
The disaster follows another tragedy earlier this year in West Sumatra, where flash floods caused by heavy rains and volcanic debris claimed 67 lives. The nation is now in mourning as recovery efforts continue, with emergency shelters and aid being provided to those affected.
Officials continue to urge residents to remain vigilant, as ongoing rainfall and the possibility of further landslides pose additional risks to rescue operations.