Jakarta [Indonesia], January 26: Rescuers halted search operations on Sunday for victims of a landslide in Indonesia's West Java province after recovering 14 bodies on the second day of operations, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities to 25, an official said.
The landslide struck a small settlement in West Bandung district late on Friday after days of heavy rainfall. Officials said up to 80 people were still missing.
"All bodies had been evacuated to a disaster victim identification post by 4pm for identification," said Ade Dian Permana, head of the Bandung search and rescue office.
Search operations were suspended later in the day due to safety concerns, as soil conditions in the affected area remained unstable and at risk of further landslides, Ade said.
There were multiple reports of floods in West Java, including the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
The floods have caused residents in heavily affected areas to evacuate to higher ground or unaffected places.
Landslides are a recurrent hazard in Indonesia during the rainy season, particularly in densely populated and mountainous parts of Java, the country's most populous island.
Prolonged rainfall, deforestation and rapid settlement expansion on steep slopes have increased the risks in recent years.
Source: Qatar Tribune
