LANDSLIDE DEATH TOLL IN INDONESIA'S WEST JAVA RISES TO 34

 JAKARTA, Jan 26 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The death toll from a landslide in Cisarua, West Bandung Regency, West Java, rose to 34 on Monday, as Indonesian rescue teams stepped up efforts to search for dozens of people still believed to be trapped under thick mud and debris, Xinhua reported.

Ade Dian Permana, head of the Bandung Search and Rescue Office, said at a press conference that nine bodies had been recovered by around 5 pm local time on Monday, bringing the total number of victims found since the disaster to 34.

Based on data from local village administrations, he said, an estimated 46 people are still buried at the site.

Of the bodies recovered so far, 17 have been identified and handed over to their families, while forensic teams are continuing identification procedures for the remaining victims.

The landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall over two consecutive nights, which saturated steep slopes in the mountainous Cisarua area. Torrents of earth, rocks and uprooted trees swept through residential areas, plantations and forest land.

Authorities said search and rescue operations will be evaluated after seven days, while a 14-day emergency response period remains in place.

Indonesia frequently suffers from floods and landslides during the rainy season, which typically lasts from October to March.  

-- BERNAMA-XINHUA