Indonesia: death toll from Java landslide rises to 34

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 (KUNA) -- Indonesia announced Wednesday that the death toll from a landslide on Java Island has risen to 34, as search operations continue for 32 people still reported missing.
Spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency Abdul Muhari said in a press statement that victim identification efforts have confirmed the identities of 34 deceased so far.
He added that the identified bodies will be handed over to the victims' families for burial.
Muhari noted that the number of missing persons has been revised down to 32, but local authorities fear the actual figure could be higher due to difficult field conditions.
He explained that the landslide covered a wide area, complicating search and rescue efforts.
Rescue teams continue combing unstable areas in the West Bandung region using both manual efforts and heavy machinery.
He said operations are proceeding with extreme caution amid the risk of further landslides caused by persistent bad weather and unstable, water-saturated soil.
Local authorities reported that the disaster caused severe damage to more than 50 homes and displaced over 650 people.
The displaced were relocated to temporary shelters in safer areas, where they are receiving basic humanitarian assistance.
Such disasters are common across Indonesia's vast archipelago during the rainy season, which typically runs from October to March.
Heavy monsoon rains frequently trigger landslides and flash floods, particularly in mountainous and rural areas with limited infrastructure. (end) aab.aai