Rescue teams in Indonesia are still combing through debris nearly two weeks after a devastating landslide struck a mountain community in Java, as authorities confirmed the death toll has risen to 74.
The disaster occurred on January 24 after days of heavy rainfall triggered a massive landslide in Pasirlangu village, located in the West Bandung region. The torrent of mud and earth swept through the area, burying dozens of homes and forcing hundreds of residents to flee.
Search and rescue operations have involved thousands of personnel, including police officers, soldiers and volunteers. Crews have been working both manually and with heavy machinery to dig through thick layers of mud and rubble.
The local search and rescue agency said 74 victims have now been identified, while efforts to locate others continue.
“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, without giving a figure.
Rescue operations have been hampered by harsh weather conditions, with persistent rain and dense fog complicating access to the affected areas.
“Weather conditions remain the main challenge, with thick fog and rain still covering the search area, significantly impacting visibility and stability in the area,” said Ade.
He explained that while search efforts will continue, the operation has transitioned into a recovery phase due to the time elapsed since the incident.
The Indonesian navy disclosed that 23 of its personnel, who were undergoing training in the area, were among those caught in the landslide. Local authorities also confirmed that around 50 houses were damaged, while more than 160 residents remain displaced.
Indonesia frequently experiences landslides during the rainy season, particularly in areas affected by deforestation. The government has previously acknowledged that forest loss contributed to severe flooding and landslides on the island of Sumatra late last year, which claimed about 1,200 lives and displaced over 240,000 people.
