Five Missing, 70 Displaced in Nganjuk Lanfslide

Surabaya, E Java, (Antara) - A landslide that hit Nganjuk District in East Java Province, Sunday, has led to five people going missing and displacing 70 others.

Emergency tents and a public kitchen have been set up, and the Nganjuk health office had provided medical services, Deputy Governor of East Java Saifullah Yusuf stated here, Monday.

"Heavy equipment is on the way and will be used for evacuation," he revealed.

Nganjuk District Head Taufiqurrahman has tasked the commander of the Nganjuk military district command to lead an emergency response effort.

The five missing villagers have been identified as 15-year-old Kodri, 23-year-old Doni, 17-year-old Dwi, 14-year-old Bayu, and 55-year-old Paidi.

Meanwhile, a major landslide buried 28 people and 35 homes in Banaran Village, Pulung Sub-district, Ponorogo District, East Java Province, on April 1, 2017.

Due to incessant, heavy rains and difficult terrain, only four bodies have been found so far, while the remaining 24 are feared to be still buried under thick mud and rubble.

A 1,640-member joint search and rescue team, comprising volunteers and disaster mitigation, police, and military officers, among others, has continued to look for the missing victims.

The landslide has injured at least 17 people and displaced 178 others, while three survivors were rescued immediately after the disaster.