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At least 18 dead, two missing after South Sulawesi landslides
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The aftermath of a landslide in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, is pictured in this photo released on April 14, 2024. (AFP/Basarnas)
T
he death toll in a recent series of landslides in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, has increased to 18, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said on Monday, as bad weather and infrastructure damage complicate the search for at least two people still missing.
Heavy rainfall triggered the landslides in two districts of Tana Toraja on Saturday night. As of Monday, two people were recorded missing in Makale district.
“One more person who had been missing was found dead in South Makale district, making the total death toll [in that district] four as of Sunday night. In the neighboring Makale district, 14 people have been found dead, with two still missing,” BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement on Monday.
More than 77 people living in the area have been evacuated to a nearby church, as authorities expect continuing rainy weather to trigger more landslides.
The search and rescue operation for the two missing people has lasted more than two days and has involved disaster agencies, police sniffer dogs and local volunteers. It has been complicated by continuing rainfall and damage to roads leading to the affected areas.
The search for 3-year-old Gea and 43-year-old Safia has so far involved 116 personnel, local authorities have said.
“The joint search and rescue team could only continue its mission by foot to the affected areas of [Tana Toraja],” Mexianus Bekabel, head of the Makassar Search and Rescue Agency, said on Monday, as quoted by Kompas.id. “The access to the location has been cut off. Heavy pieces of machinery have also struggled to reach these areas.”
