JAKARTA, Indonesia: Indonesian authorities have officially concluded a search and rescue operation following a devastating landslide in central Indonesia, which tragically claimed the lives of 20 individuals.
The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, struck two villages in the Tana Toraja regency of South Sulawesi province on Saturday evening.
Rescuers tirelessly searched for the final two missing persons, a three-year-old toddler and her 43-year-old mother, whose bodies were located on Monday. Mexianus Bekabel, head of the local search and rescue agency, confirmed their discovery in a statement, noting that the victims, a mother and child, were found not far apart.
“With the discovery of the final two victims, the search and rescue operation was concluded,” Bekabel announced, indicating that rescuers have since returned to their respective units.
Initially, authorities reported 19 fatalities and two missing individuals, but the final toll was revised to 20 following the recovery of all victims.
Indonesia, susceptible to landslides during the rainy season, faces exacerbated risks due to deforestation, which contributes to soil instability. Prolonged torrential rains often lead to flooding in different parts of the archipelago nation.
Just last month, flash floods and landslides on Sumatra island claimed the lives of at least 30 people, with numerous individuals still missing.
In a separate incident in December near Lake Toba on Sumatra, a landslide and flooding resulted in the destruction of dozens of houses and a hotel, claiming the lives of at least two individuals.
The recurring natural disasters underscore the urgent need for enhanced preventive measures and environmental conservation efforts to mitigate risks and safeguard communities across Indonesia.
