Indonesia: at least 18 dead in two landslides, search ongoing for 34 missing persons

Jakarta (Indonesia), 17 Nov. (LaPresse/AP) – Rescuers dug through tonnes of mud and debris in search of 34 people missing after two landslides in two different regions of Java, Indonesia’s main island, killed at least 18 people. The landslides were caused by torrential rains on Thursday evening that hit dozens of homes in three villages in the Cilacap district of Central Java province. More than 500 rescuers, including police and soldiers, supported by 22 excavators and 18 search dogs, were deployed to five devastated areas in Cilacap to search for seven missing villagers. A similar landslide struck the Banjarnegara district in Central Java province shortly before sunset on Saturday: tonnes of mud poured down from the surrounding hills, burying at least 30 homes and forcing more than 800 residents to flee to safer places, some of which are on even higher ground and prone to further landslides.