BANDUNG, Indonesia – A tragic landslide in West Java province has left 19 members of Indonesia’s Marine Corps and 23 civilians missing, according to officials. The disaster struck Saturday at dawn in Pasir Langu village, Mount Burangrang, where the marines were undergoing training exercises amidst challenging terrain and heavy rainfall.
The landslide swept away their camp and damaged approximately 34 houses, prompting a large-scale search and rescue effort. The operation has expanded to include 2,100 personnel, deploying manual labor, water pumps, drones, and heavy machinery.
So far, seventeen people have been confirmed dead. Among the deceased are four marines who were part of a 23-member unit preparing for a border assignment on the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border, according to Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Muhammad Ali. The remaining marines from the unit are still missing.
Officials attribute the landslide to days of heavy rainfall. Accessing the affected area has been difficult due to narrow roads and unstable ground conditions.
The head of the local search and rescue office, Ade Dian Permana, stated that 42 people remain missing. He added that the ground’s instability, combined with water, is hindering rescue efforts.
The landslide stretched over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), with mud depths reaching up to 8 meters (26 feet) in some areas, according to Yudhi Bramantyo, the operation director of the National Search and Rescue Agency. Search operations are temporarily suspended at night due to safety concerns related to poor visibility and unstable soil.
Indonesia is prone to flooding and landslides during the rainy season, which typically lasts from October to April, due to its geography and millions residing in mountainous regions.
