By Sama Marwan,
Authorities in Indonesia announced that the death toll from a landslide caused by heavy rains on the Indonesian island of Java has risen to 21 people, while rescue workers are still searching for survivors. France 24 reported on Thursday that heavy rains in a mountainous area near the city of Pekalongan in central Java last Monday caused a landslide that led to the collapse of bridges and buried homes and vehicles.
For his part, Budyono, head of the search and rescue agency in the city of Semarang, said, “As of this morning, we have found 21 dead victims, and the search is still ongoing for five others.
” He added, “We are focusing on these two places and the river next to them, as the current may have swept the victims into the river.” At least 13 people were injured in the landslide, according to the Basarnas search and rescue agency. Rescuers have also begun clearing thick mud and debris from roads, Budyonno said.
Heavy equipment has been deployed to the worst-hit village of Kasimpar to search the home of a local official and a cafe where other victims, who had come to shelter from the rain, are suspected to be trapped.
Landslides regularly occur in the vast Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season, between November and April, but also for some time outside the rainy season. In some areas, the phenomenon has been exacerbated by deforestation.
