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Death toll from Central Java landslides climbs to 20
Around 500 rescuers from the Search and Rescue Agency, the Indonesian Military, the Central Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and local residents are working tirelessly to search for victims buried under debris in Kasimpar village, the hardest-hit area.
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Tireless effort: Rescue teams comb through debris to search for seven missing victims of a landslide in Kasimpar village, Pekalongan regency, Central Java, on Jan. 22. The disaster has killed 20 people and injured 10 others. (JP/Suherdjoko)
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t least 20 people have died in flash floods and landslides that hit Petungkriyono District in Pekalongan regency, Central Java, on Monday, while seven remain missing, according to the latest figures.
Around 500 rescuers from the Search and Rescue Agency, the Indonesian Military, the Central Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and local residents are working tirelessly to search for victims buried under debris in Kasimpar village, the hardest-hit area.
They used shovels, hoes and water sprays as authorities were still unable to bring in heavy machinery because the landslides had broken down three bridges near the village.
Rescuers were being forced to walk around four kilometers to get into the site because the road was inaccessible, with some even having to crawl to pass through certain areas.
The rescue operation has also been hampered by heavy rains and frequent fog that continues to blanket the region.
Central Java acting governor Nana Sudjana said authorities have begun clearing blocked roads from landslide debris and will soon construct a bailey bridge to restore access to Petungkriyono district.
“The bridge will likely take two or three days to construct," he told the press at Kasimpar village on Wednesday.
