Landslide in West Java, Indonesia Leaves Dozens Missing, Raises Concerns Over Land Use
BANDUNG, Indonesia – Rescue efforts are hampered by unstable ground and ongoing rainfall as authorities search for 79 people missing after a landslide buried homes in West Java province, Indonesia, on Saturday. At least 11 people have been confirmed dead in the disaster, which struck the village of Pasir Langu near Mount Burangrang.
The pre-dawn landslide, triggered by torrential rains, engulfed approximately 34 houses, leaving many feared trapped beneath tons of mud, rocks, and debris. Videos released by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) show the grim reality facing rescuers – teams using basic farm tools and even their bare hands to sift through the mud, recovering bodies.
“Some homes are buried up to the roof level,” said Ade Dian Permana, from the search and rescue office, describing the scale of the devastation. The unstable conditions have largely grounded heavy equipment, forcing crews to rely on manual excavation. “If the slope does not stabilize, crews are prepared to continue manually,” Permana added, estimating the mud mounds reach up to 5 meters (16 feet) in height.
The disaster underscores Indonesia’s vulnerability to landslides and floods, particularly during the rainy season which typically runs from October to April. As an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, millions of Indonesians live in mountainous regions or near fertile floodplains, making them susceptible to these natural disasters. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), over 60 million Indonesians, roughly 22% of the population, are at risk of landslides.
Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited the site on Sunday, pledging government action to prevent future tragedies. He emphasized the need for local authorities in West Java and West Bandung to address land conversion in disaster-prone areas and implement measures to mitigate risks. “We need to look at how land is being used and ensure it’s done responsibly,” Raka stated.
Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii echoed the challenges facing rescue teams, citing the ongoing rainfall and unstable terrain. “We are at the mercy of the weather, and the slide is still mud… flowing and unstable,” he told reporters. “With the area this wide, we’ll use every asset we have… drones, K-9 teams and ground units, but safety comes first.”
The disaster highlights a growing concern over unregulated land use and deforestation in Indonesia, factors often cited as contributing to increased landslide risk. Experts point to the conversion of forests into agricultural land and residential areas on steep slopes as exacerbating the problem. The Indonesian government has faced increasing pressure to enforce stricter land-use regulations and invest in early warning systems.
The search for survivors continues, but hopes are dwindling as time passes. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of natural disasters and the urgent need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities.