The death toll from a freak flash flood at a waterfall in Jember has risen to four after the recovery of two more bodies on Thursday by search and rescue workers.

The bodies of Faridatul Muthmainah, a junior high school student, and Ali, a resident of Slawu, were found downstream of the Atrokan waterfall on Bedagung River.

The bodies of Mega Susantri and Riska Amalia, both also junior high students, were recovered by villagers only hours after the incident on Wednesday evening.

Patrang Police chief Adj. Comr. Mustamo said the search would resume on Friday for Hesti Silvia and two other villagers who went missing in the accident.

As many as 11 people, including six students, were washed away by a surge of water while bathing at the waterfall. Six people survived, with the rest presumed drowned.

Nurdam, a resident of Slawu, said villagers there had learned about the incident after the bodies of Mega and Riska were recovered in the waterway, prompting a police-led search for the other victims.

Fitriana, a survivor, said the flash flood occurred abruptly while they were bathing beneath the waterfall.

"Suddenly the waterfall struck us more strongly. Some people drowned," she said.

She added the students had gone to the waterfall to relax after a week of exams.

Samrozi, an English teacher at the victims' school, visited the hospital to identify those killed and said the school knew nothing about the students' activities at the waterfall.

Police chief Mustamo said his officers would seek more detailed information on the incident from survivors and the school.

Search and rescue team coordinator Stefanus said the search would continue on Friday until the three missing people were recovered.

"The search will be centered at Bedagung River in Kalimati district," he said. (fin)

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