JAKARTA: Rescue teams in Indonesia have recovered a total of 53 bodies from a landslide in West Java province, as search operations entered the fifth day on Wednesday amid rain and unstable ground conditions.
The landslide struck the Cisarua region in West Bandung regency early last Saturday (Jan 24), burying dozens of homes under soil and mud.
Of the 53 bodies recovered, the police disaster victim identification team has identified 35, the country's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said in a statement on Wednesday.
BNPB chief Suharyanto said in the statement that persistent rainfall had slowed rescue efforts and increased risks for personnel working at the site.
To support operations, BNPB has carried out weather modification efforts aimed at reducing rainfall. However, the measures have not fully stopped precipitation, he said during his second visit to the affected area.
"When weather conditions improve, rescue teams resume search and evacuation efforts at the affected site," Suharyanto said, adding that personnel were assisted by heavy machinery and sniffer dogs.
According to the agency, at least 48 houses have reportedly been severely damaged or destroyed by the landslide, while assessments are ongoing to determine whether additional homes need to be relocated due to geological risks.
Families of identified victims have received compensation from the Ministry of Social Affairs, and temporary housing assistance will be provided to affected residents staying with relatives, Suharyanto said.
Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, particularly in mountainous regions with unstable terrain. - Xinhua
