Indonesia continues search for 80 missing after West Java landslide kills 11

Rescue teams in West Java pressed on after a massive landslide early Saturday buried homes in Pasir Langu village on the slopes of Mount Burangrang. Torrential rain saturated the hillsides, sending mud, rocks and uprooted trees into residential areas, burying at least 34 houses. Heavy rainfall and unstable ground forced overnight pauses, but operations resumed Sunday.

At least 11 people have died, and around 79 to 80 remain missing , many feared trapped under meters of mud. About 23 residents have been rescued and are receiving care. “If the slope does not stabilize, crews are prepared to continue manually,” said Ade Dian Permana, a mission coordinator from the search and rescue office. Some homes were buried up to the roof level, with debris piles reaching five metres.

Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii said the operation is hampered by weather and terrain. “We are at the mercy of the weather, and the slide is still mud… flowing and unstable. With the area this wide, we’ll use every asset… drones, K‑9 teams and ground units, but safety comes first,” he said.

Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, visiting the site, pledged measures to prevent similar disasters. He urged local authorities to “address the issue of land conversion in disaster-prone areas” . Officials stressed that search teams prioritize safety while continuing to comb the area for missing residents.

Eyewitnesses said loud rumbling preceded the landslide, as a wall of mud swept down the forested slope engulfing homes. About 230 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters. The rainy season, running from October to April, frequently triggers flooding and landslides in Indonesia, particularly in mountainous areas.

Government officials warned residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert for soil movement and evacuate if necessary. Search efforts will continue as long as conditions allow, though hopes of finding survivors diminish with each passing day.