A powerful landslide has claimed at least seven lives and left scores of people unaccounted for in Indonesia’s West Java province, after torrential rains triggered a collapse in a rural community.
Rescue officials confirmed that no fewer than 82 residents remain missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise as emergency teams continue combing the debris.
The disaster struck while many families were asleep, worsening its human impact.
According to emergency responders, the landslide occurred in the early hours of Saturday in Pasirlangu village, located in the West Bandung area.
A sudden surge of mud, rocks and floodwater cascaded down nearby slopes, flattening dozens of houses within minutes.
Moreover, preliminary assessments indicate that about 30 homes were either buried or severely damaged by the slide.
Entire households are believed to have been caught off guard, with little time to escape.
Speaking on the situation, disaster agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said rescue workers were intensifying operations despite difficult terrain and unstable soil.
He noted that teams were racing against time to locate survivors under the rubble.
However, authorities have warned that persistent rainfall continues to pose serious risks.
Weather officials had earlier forecast extreme conditions across West Java, including prolonged heavy downpours capable of triggering further landslides.
In response, local governments have ordered the evacuation of residents living in high-risk zones.
Officials said the affected area spans roughly 30 hectares, prompting concerns about additional slope failures.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies are mobilising relief supplies as families await news of missing loved ones.
Emergency officials stressed that search and rescue efforts will remain ongoing until all victims are accounted for.