Landslides on Indonesia's Java Island Result in Fatalities and Missing Persons

Rescue teams in Indonesia are continuing their search today, Friday, for individuals missing due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall on Java Island over the past few days. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of three people and the disappearance of twenty others.

In a statement, officials noted that the persistent rainfall over several days has led to landslides that damaged dozens of homes in three villages in Central Java on Thursday evening. They cautioned that conditions in some areas remain hazardous.

The national disaster management agency announced plans to evacuate residents from 28 homes in a highly vulnerable area. Suharianto, the agency's head, stated, "We will evacuate residents from at-risk areas to ensure they leave before further landslides occur and more casualties arise."

Authorities have mobilized 200 rescue personnel and heavy equipment to assist in the search efforts. Footage released by the national search and rescue agency shows teams searching through debris for survivors or bodies.

Rescue teams confirmed that the third body was recovered this morning, while the search for the 20 missing individuals continues. Abdol Mahari, a spokesperson for the disaster management agency, explained that ground instability poses a significant challenge during the so-called "golden hour" of rescue operations.

Indonesia frequently experiences landslides and flooding during the rainy season from October to March. In January of last year, more than 20 people lost their lives in similar flooding and landslides in Central Java.