Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate survivors after a landslide in West Bandung killed at least seven people and left dozens unaccounted for, local authorities said on Saturday.
The disaster struck parts of West Java, where heavy rain triggered the collapse of soil and debris in the early hours of the morning.
Homes Buried as Residents Slept
According to local reports, the landslide hit Pasirlangu village at around 2am local time, sending water, mud and loose earth rushing down the slopes of Mount Burangrang.
Roughly 30 houses were damaged or buried while many residents were asleep, Indonesian media reported. Witnesses said a loud rumbling sound was heard moments before the ground gave way.
Local police chief AY Yogaswara said the landslide was accompanied by flash flooding, adding to the destruction.
Dozens Still Missing
“The number of missing persons is high, and we are working to maximise search and rescue efforts today,” said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for BNPB, Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency.
Indonesia’s military, regional disaster officials, volunteers and local residents have been deployed to the site as part of the emergency response.
Authorities estimate the affected area spans around 30 hectares (74 acres).
Evacuations Ordered Amid Ongoing Risk
Fearing further landslides, officials have ordered evacuations in nearby areas known to be vulnerable to slope failures. Indonesia’s weather agency had earlier warned of extreme conditions, including prolonged heavy rainfall across West Java.
Elsewhere in the province, flooding was reported in 20 of 30 sub-districts in Karawang, after rivers overflowed their banks. Residents living near the waterways were advised to leave immediately.
Flooding Spreads Beyond West Java
Heavy rain has also forced hundreds of people to flee their homes in East Jakarta, according to state media, as flooding spread across multiple regions of the archipelago.
Saturday’s disaster comes just weeks after landslides and floods killed more than 1,170 people in parts of Sumatra and Aceh, prompting the Indonesian government to take legal action against several companies suspected of contributing to environmental damage.
Environmental Concerns Grow
Experts warn that Indonesia faces increasing risks from natural disasters due to deforestation, climate change and rising sea levels. Large-scale land clearing — often linked to palm oil production — has been cited as a factor worsening floods and landslides across the country.
Rescue operations in West Bandung are expected to continue as weather conditions remain unstable.