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The death toll from a landslide in Indonesia has risen to 74, authorities confirmed on Friday, nearly two weeks after search and rescue operations began.
The disaster was triggered by heavy rainfall on January 24, when a landslide swept through a mountainous village in the West Bandung region of Java. Dozens of homes were buried, forcing hundreds of residents to flee the area.
Thousands of rescue workers, supported by the police, military personnel, and volunteers, have been combing through thick mud and debris. Operations have involved both manual digging and the use of heavy machinery.
According to the local search and rescue agency, 74 victims have so far been identified. However, several residents are still listed as missing.
“There are still a number of people who have not yet been found,” said the agency’s head, Ade Dian Permana, noting that adverse weather conditions continue to hamper efforts.
“Persistent rain and dense fog remain major challenges, affecting visibility and ground stability in the search area,” he added.
Permana explained that while rescue efforts will continue, operations have now shifted into the recovery phase, with adjustments made to reflect the changing focus.
The Indonesian navy disclosed that 23 of its personnel, who were undergoing training in the area, were among those caught in the landslide that struck Pasirlangu village.
Local authorities reported that about 50 houses were damaged, while more than 160 residents remain displaced.
The government has previously highlighted deforestation as a contributing factor to flooding and landslides. Similar environmental issues were blamed for deadly floods and landslides on the neighboring island of Sumatra late last year, which claimed about 1,200 lives and displaced over 240,000 people.
