Rescue teams in Indonesia’s West Java province faced renewed challenges on Wednesday as rainfall slowed search operations at the site of a deadly landslide that has claimed at least 34 lives, authorities said.
The Indonesia landslide struck Pasir Langu village in the Bandung Barat region early Saturday after prolonged heavy rain weakened the surrounding hillsides. Officials said 32 people remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise further as rescue work continues.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency said rain was still falling at the site on Wednesday morning, forcing rescuers to halt excavation intermittently due to safety concerns.
Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said teams remained on standby, ready to resume work as soon as conditions improved. “It is raining at the landslide location this morning, but all rescuers are prepared to continue the search and are waiting for the right timing,” he said.
Authorities said unstable soil and the risk of additional landslides have complicated efforts to reach areas believed to be where missing residents may be buried.
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The confirmed death toll has risen sharply from an earlier figure of 20 to 34, according to the disaster agency. At least 23 people were pulled alive from the debris, many with injuries requiring hospital treatment.
A forensic identification team is now working at the site to determine the identities of the recovered victims, Muhari said. Officials have not yet released details on ages or family connections, citing the ongoing identification process.
Separately, the Indonesian Navy said on Tuesday that 23 soldiers were killed during a border patrol training exercise in the same region. Authorities said it remains unclear whether those deaths were included in the updated landslide toll.
Muhari said coordination is underway between agencies to clarify the figures and ensure all casualties are properly accounted for.
At least 800 personnel, including soldiers, police officers, emergency responders, and volunteers, have been deployed to the disaster zone. Nine excavators are being used to remove mud, rocks, and fallen trees once weather conditions allow.
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Rescuers are also using manual tools in areas deemed too dangerous for heavy machinery. Officials said the focus remains on locating survivors first, followed by recovery operations once hopes of finding people alive diminish.
Nearly 700 residents of Pasir Langu village have been evacuated to government buildings and temporary shelters as authorities assess the stability of nearby slopes. Officials warned that continued rainfall could trigger additional landslides in the area.
Pasir Langu is located in a hilly part of West Java, about 100 kilometers southeast of Jakarta. The region is particularly vulnerable during the rainy season, when saturated soil and deforestation increase the risk of landslides.
Indonesia frequently experiences natural disasters due to its tropical climate and rugged terrain. Landslides and flash floods are common during the monsoon season, particularly in densely populated areas where development has encroached on hillsides.
Disaster officials said search operations would continue in phases, depending on weather conditions and ground stability. Authorities also said they are reviewing evacuation plans and early warning systems to reduce risks in similar communities.
As rescue efforts press on, families of the missing remain gathered near the site, waiting for updates as teams work against time and weather to reach those still unaccounted for.
