Toll in deadly Indonesia floods near 1,000, frustrations grow

Rescuers walk through the mud as search and rescue operation continues at an area hit by deadly flash floods following heavy rains in Palembayan, Agam regency, West Sumatra province, Indonesia, Dec 2, 2025. - Photo: Reuters

LHOKSEUMAWE, (Indonesia): The death toll in Indonesia's devastating floods closed in on the 1,000 mark Thursday (Dec 11) as hundreds of thousands more continued to face shortages, with frustration growing over relief efforts.

Disaster mitigation agency spokesman Abdul Muhari said 990 people had died by late Thursday in the deluge, which laid waste to the northwestern island of Sumatra -- the biggest disaster of its kind in recent years. More than 220 people are still missing.