18 killed and 90 missing in Indonesia landslide

A mudslide set off by torrential rains, rushed down hills into a village in central Indonesia and swept away scores of homes, killing at least 18 people and leaving 90 others missing.

 

According to officials from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency in Indonesia, about 105 houses were swept away by the landslide in Jemblung village in central Java province of Banjamegara district.

 

Hundreds of rescuers, including soldiers, police and residents, dug through the debris this morning with their bare hands, shovels and hoes, while others used bamboo to carry black body bags containing corpses.  About 420 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.

 

Crying relatives watch in horror as residents and rescuers pulled out mud-caked bodies from the village, while distraught women screamed at the sights.

Some rescuers said they heard what sounded like calls for help coming from the debris, but that lack of equipment had prevented them reaching possible victims.  Also that mud, rugged terrain and bad weather hampered their rescue efforts.

Tractors and bulldozers were later brought in to help with the rescue efforts.