Eight bodies found in landslide site

PADANG: As many as eight bodies have been found in the area close to the landslide that was caused by the Sept. 30 quake, in Tandikat village, Patamuan district, Padang-pariaman regency, West Sumatra since the searching efforts ended on Oct. 13, an official said on Thursday.

Patamuan district head Nurdinah said the last body - of a woman - was found on Thursday floating in Batang Mangoe River, four kilometers from the site.

"Her face could not be identified as it had disintegrated. I'm not sure whether she came from Tandikat or nearby Malalak, Agam regency, since the two sites are located on the riverbank," Nurdinah told The Jakarta Post.

Six bodies were found in the past week in landslide site and another body was found in the river.

The recent heavy rains are believed to have eroded the site's soil, causing bodies that were buried away to come up to the surface.

The government earlier decided the site would become a mass graveyard with some 300 victims still buried in the area. - JP