FILE PHOTO: In this undated photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, rescuers search for victims after a landslide on Thursday, Nov. 13 hit a village in Cilacap, Indonesia. - BASARNAS via AP
JAKARTA: Three people were killed and 20 others remain missing after torrential rain triggered a landslide in a village in Cilacap regency, Central Java, on the night of Nov 13.
The incident occurred at around 8pm local time, striking at least 12 houses in Cibeunying village, Majenang district, and burying an estimated 6.5ha of land.
Majenang district head Aji Pramono said rainfall had been continuous in the area since last weekend. “Although the rain was not particularly heavy before the landslide, the accumulated precipitation over several days may have saturated the soil to the point that it could no longer support its own weight,” he said on Nov 14, as quoted by state news agency Antara.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the disaster left three people injured and three others dead as at Nov 14. The fatalities were identified as Julia Lestari, 20; Maya Dwi Lestari, 15; and 45-year-old Yuni.
All injured and deceased victims have been taken to Majenang Regional General Hospital. Lieutenant-General Suharyanto, head of BNPB, said a joint team of around 200 personnel, comprising the local search and rescue agency, the Cilacap Disaster Mitigation Agency, the Indonesian Red Cross, the military, police and local residents, had been working around the clock to search for survivors believed to be buried under the debris.
“We have deployed heavy machinery and water pumps, and we are ensuring that the basic needs of affected residents are met. We hope all missing residents can be found soon,” he said on Nov 14.
BNPB spokesman Abdul Muhari added that rescue efforts were severely hampered by poor weather, unstable ground conditions and limited lighting at night.
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has expressed his condolences over the landslide and assured the public that his administration is mobilising all necessary resources to locate victims still trapped under the debris.
He added that excavators had been used to widen access to the disaster area, allowing heavy equipment to reach the site more efficiently. Meanwhile, the Central Java Disaster Mitigation Agency continues to monitor weather conditions and is preparing potential weather modification measures to prevent further rainfall.
According to forecasts, light to moderate rain is expected across Majenang district from Nov 14 to 16, raising concerns about possible additional landslides. The Cilacap administration has declared a 20-day state of emergency following the landslide to expedite rescue operations and disaster mitigation efforts.
Officials from Cilacap, in coordination with BNPB, are preparing to relocate around 28 residents living in landslide-prone areas near the disaster site.
“The relocation will begin once emergency response operations are fully completed. The Cilacap district administration has designated a safer site for the relocation,” the BNPB’s Suharyanto said.
In the meantime, all 28 residents have been urged to evacuate to safer locations and to avoid any activities near their homes to reduce the risk of further disasters, Suharyanto added. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
