Five dead, 38 missing in deadly Indonesian landslide

Rescuers are searching for survivors after a landslide triggered by heavy rain left at least five people dead and dozens missing in western Indonesia , an official said Tuesday .
The landslide occurred shortly before sunset on Monday in West Java province . Search and rescue teams have found five people dead and are scouring the area for at least 38 missing people according to the national disaster agency .

Pouring rain , electricity cuts and rough roads are preventing heavy machinery from accessing the area in Sukabumi regency , disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said .

“ Relief efforts have also been hampered by a lot of people who want to get to the disaster , ” he said .

“ The roads are narrow which has caused rescue teams , logistics , and ambulances to be stuck in traffic jams . ”

The search operation was halted overnight but continued Tuesday morning .

Three people have been injured in the disaster and 61 others evacuated from the area , Nugroho said .

Landslides are common in Indonesia , a vast tropical archipelago prone to natural disasters and torrential downpours .

More than 20 people died in October when flash floods and landslides hit several provinces on Sumatra island , western Indonesia .

In June 2016 , nearly 50 people died when floods and landslides struck Banjarnegara regency , Central Java province .

AFP

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