Landslide Kills Seven in Jombang

Jombang, E Java (Antara) - At least seven people were killed in a landslide in Kopen Hamlet, Ngrimbi Village, Jombang District, East Java, according to Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) officials. "The latest casualty was a man named Lilik (35)," Gunadi of the local BPBD chapter said here on Tuesday. He was found buried under the rubble from the landslide, Gunadi noted. The discovery of the latest victim brings the total death toll from the landslide to seven. Rescuers had previously uncovered the bodies of Khoirotun Nisak (20), Istanto (25), M. Sodik (30), Rokhimah (40), Sariyaji (50), and Baharudin. Sariyaji and Rokhimah were a married couple. Teams of rescue workers comprising personnel from the military, SAR operatives, and local residents are still searching for other missing victims. In the incident, 14 people were believed to have been buried under the rubble that slid down the hill behind their homes as a result of torrential rains, engulfing the houses. The incident occurred at 2 a.m. on Tuesday. (*)