Deadly landslide hits Java, over a dozen missing
A deadly landslide hit the Indonesian island of Java on February 22, 2018, after several days of heavy rain. At least 5 people were killed and more than 15 are missing.
The landslide hit the village of Pasir Panjang, Brebes district of Central Java around 08:00 local time today, burying farmers tending their crops under mud and rock.
"The landslide buried the farmers working in their rice fields," disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement, adding that at least 14 people were injured.
Indonesian army, police and local volunteers are digging through the debris, but residents are forbidden to enter the area due to fears of further landslides.
Longsor terjang petani yang sedang bekerja di Desa Pasir Panjang, Kecamatan Salem, Kabupaten Brebes, Jawa Tengah, Kamis, 22/2/2018, pukul 08.00 Wib. 14 orang selamat (luka-luka) dan 11 orang belum ditemukan. Evakuasi dan pendataan masih dilakukan. #JatengWow @BNPB_Indonesia pic.twitter.com/iV9WjLb2ur
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) February 22, 2018
There are 5 confirmed fatalities, 15 people missing and 18 injured as of 11:00 UTC, according to Nugroho.
All victims have been identified, he said, adding that heavy equipment can't be used at this time.
Featured image: Landslide in Central Java, Indonesia on February 22, 2018. Credit: BNPB
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