At least 15 killed in Indonesia landslide

A landslide and flooding swept away dozens of houses and destroyed a hotel near Lake Toba

By Agencies
April 15, 2024
The foundation of a building on the edge of the ravine is seen following a landslide caused by heavy rains in the Caringin area, in Bogor on March 2, 2023. — AFP
The foundation of a building on the edge of the ravine is seen following a landslide caused by heavy rains in the Caringin area, in Bogor on March 2, 2023. — AFP

JAKARTA: At least 15 people have been found dead after a landslide in central Indonesia, local authorities said on Sunday.

At least 17 victims have been evacuated from the landslide that hit Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi province on Saturday evening, said local disaster agency head Sulaiman Maila.

“Two of them survived while 15 others sadly passed away,” Maila said on Sunday.

“According to reports from residents, there are still two individuals reported missing, presumably buried under the landslide debris.”

Tana Toraja and its surrounding areas have been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past week, he added.

Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season and the problem has been aggravated in some places by deforestation, with prolonged torrential rain causing flooding in some areas of the archipelago nation.

Last month flash floods and landslides on Sumatra island killed at least 30 people with scores still missing.

A landslide and flooding swept away dozens of houses and destroyed a hotel near Lake Toba on Sumatra in December, killing at least two people.