Landslide Kills 12 People in Kudus

Kudus, Central Java (Antara) - A landslide has reportedly killed 12 residents from Duku Kembangan, Menawan village, Gebog sub-district, Kudus District, Central Java Province, on Tuesday evening. Of the 12 casualties, however, only one body has been found so far while the rest are believed to have been still buried under the mud, stated Suroso, head of the social affairs office of Menawan village, here on Wednesday. The body that was found was that of Musripan, 50, he noted. The other 11 victims were identified by their names as Sowondo and his wife, Tarmuji and his wife, Asrori, his wife and their child, and Mursidi, his wife and their two children. The landslide has completely buried five houses and damaged three others. Meanwhile, parts of Indonesia have been hit by floods and landslides lately while the country is experiencing a heavy rainy season. In North Sulawesi, as many as 19 people have been killed due to floods and landslides. "Until now the number of deaths has been recorded at 19," pointed out head of the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Noldy Liow, on Sunday. He explained that the victims were found in the cities of Manado and Tomohon and the district of Minahasa. With regard to the landslide that has now cut off the road link between Manado and Tomohon, he stated that the TNI (military) is building a bailey bridge on the location. He added that efforts were still being made to find other victims of floods and landslides. Several districts were affected by floods and landslides on Wednesday, such as Manado, Tomohon, Minahasa, Minahasa Utara, Minahasa Tenggara, Sangihe islands and Sitaro islands. (*)