Death Toll of Banjarnegara Landslide Rises to 32

Jakarta (Antara) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said the number of death toll of a landslide in Jemblung hamlet, Sampang Village, Banjarnegara District, Central Java, had risen to 32 while 76 other victims were still missing. "Until 4 p.m on Sunday, the joint rescue team has lifted 32 bodies of the landslide victims. A total of 76 others are still missing. They are believed to be buried by avalanche," BNPB Head for Information Data Center and Public Relations Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here on Sunday. He said that of the 32 bodies, seven had yet to be identified. Police are still working to identify the remaining seven bodies. Those who were identified have been taken by their family members for burial. Dozens of houses of 53 families in Jemblung hamlet in the village of Sampang were buried following a landslide that happened at around 5.30 p. m. on Friday. President Joko Widodo observed the landslide in Jemblung helmet that had left more than 30 people dead on Sunday. President Jokowi as he is also called has called for prioritizing evacuation of victims. "What is important now is evacuation. Do it first before we talk others. Focus on it," he said after visiting the scene of the landslide that happened on Friday evening. (*)