Rescue teams in Indonesia are intensifying efforts after a landslide on Serasan, a remote island in the west, caused by heavy rains earlier this week. Authorities say 42 people are still missing as of today, with search operations ongoing in difficult weather and rugged terrain. Emergency services reported that at least 10 lives have beenlost in the disaster, while responders push to locate survivors and deliver aid to affected communities.
In the latest briefing, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that eight people were pulled from the debris in the past hours, bringing the casualty count down from an initial estimate of 50 to 42. Four of the rescued individuals are seriously injured and four remain in critical condition. A total of 1,216 residents have been evacuated from affected zones, and teams continue to face hurdles from persistent rain and logistical challenges on the island, which lies in Indonesia’s Riau archipelago. Photos released by the BNPB show uprooted trees, mud-filled homes, and damaged infrastructure, underscoring the scale of the damage.
FLOODING and landslides are common during Indonesia’s rainy season, which peaks between December and February each year. Local authorities urge nearby communities to remain vigilant and prepared for further landslides as weather conditions evolve and relief operations proceed.