The death toll from a massive landslide in Indonesia rose to 17 on Monday as rescuers deployed heavy machinery to search for dozens still missing, days after torrential rains unleashed a deadly torrent of mud.
Families gathered near the disaster site in Java’s West Bandung region, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones as rescue teams, wary of another possible landslide, scoured the unstable terrain.
The surge of soil and debris tore through the village of Pasirlangu early Saturday, burying homes and forcing dozens of residents to flee.
“It’s impossible that they are still alive. I just want their bodies to be found,” said Aep Saepudin, who has been returning to the village daily in search of news about 11 missing family members, including his sister.
“My heart aches. It’s devastating to see my older sister like that,” he said.
