leven farmers are missing after a landslide hit Pasir Panjang village, Salem subdistrict, Brebes regency, Central Java, on Thursday.
Soil and rock rushed down the slopes and buried farmers working at paddy fields on lower ground. Fourteen villagers have reportedly sustained injury, while the whereabouts of 11 are unknown.
The landslide, which took place in an area belonging to state forestry company Perhutani, also cut off access between Salem and Banjargarjo subdistricts.
An official with the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said the regional BNPB would cooperate with the military, police, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), search and rescue team and locals to search for the missing villagers.
According to Sutopo, the joint team, however, is still waiting for the situation to return to normal as villagers are worried another landslide may occur.
“At this moment, we can not launch a search for the buried victims," Sutopo said.
The authorities have also barred residents from visiting the affected area.
The BNPB had previously warned landslide-prone areas in West Java, Central Java and East Java of possible landslides during the rainy season, having forecast heavy downpour in Java until March. (dmr)
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