Rescuers recover more bodies from landslide in Indonesia, with 72 still missing

BANDUNG, Indonesia (AP) — Improved weather on Sunday helped rescuers on Indonesia's main island of Java recover more bodies as they dug through mud and debris in search of scores of missing in a landslide that killed more than two dozen villagers.

The predawn landslide on the slopes of Mount Burangrang in West Java province on Saturday buried some 34 houses in Pasir Langu village. On Sunday, 72 people remained missing, many feared buried under tons of mud, rocks and uprooted trees. About 230 residents living near the site were evacuated to government shelters.

A 250-member search team on Sunday collected victims' remains, including body parts, in 14 body bags, bringing the total recovered to 25, said Ade Dian Permana, who heads the local search and rescue office. They will be released to relatives once they are identified by forensic experts.

Videos released by the search agency showed rescuers using farm tools and bare hands to pull a body from the mud. Permana said that loose ground on the slope prevented heavy equipment from being deployed. He estimated mounds of mud were to be up to 5 meters (16 feet) high, saying "our teams must move carefully.”

“Some homes are buried up to the roof level,” he added.

The head of the National Search and Rescue Agency, Mohammad Syafii, said teams were also using drones and K-9s to locate bodies along the landslide that stretched more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles).

Visiting the area on Sunday, Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka pledged that authorities would take measures to prevent similar disasters. He urged the local authorities in West Bandung district to "address the issue of land conversion in disaster-prone areas,” including ways to reduce risks.

Environmental activists previously have said the deadly landslide in West Bandung district was not simply a natural disaster triggered by heavy rain, but the result of years of environmental degradation due to land conversion for development that violated land‑use rules in the region.

Wahyudin Iwang of Walhi West Java, an Indonesian environmental group, said Saturday’s landslide — which struck while residents were asleep — reflected longstanding neglect of spatial‑planning regulations in the North Bandung Area, or KBU, a conservation zone spanning about 38,543 hectares across four cities and regencies in West Java, including West Bandung.

He said the protected highland area functions as a critical water‑catchment zone and environmental buffer for the Bandung Basin, one of Indonesia’s most densely populated regions.

“This landslide is the accumulation of activities that were not in line with spatial planning and environmental functions,” Iwang said.

At a makeshift relief center, villagers gathered, reading updated lists of the missing and waiting for news on relatives. Rescue officials said the operation will continue nonstop as long as conditions allow, but warned that more rain could further destabilize the slope.

Seasonal rains and high tides from about October to April frequently cause flooding and landslides in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile floodplains.

In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers search for victims in Pasir Langu village after a landslide, in West Bandung district of West Java province, Indonesia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)

In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers search for victims in Pasir Langu village after a landslide, in West Bandung district of West Java province, Indonesia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)

In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers search for victims in Pasir Langu village after a landslide, in West Bandung district of West Java province, Indonesia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)

In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers search for victims in Pasir Langu village after a landslide, in West Bandung district of West Java province, Indonesia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)

In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), an aerial shot taken using a drone shows an area affected by landslides in Pasir Langu village, in West Bandung district of West Java province, Indonesia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. (BASARNAS via AP)

France, Scotland or Ireland will clinch the most fun Six Nations in years on Saturday.

Predictions have been torn up and one last twist in the final round of a gripping championship would not surprise.

France is in pole position to win successive titles for the first time since 2006-07. France leads Scotland in the table only on points difference. Its massive though. Ireland is two points behind.

The French have the advantage of closing the championship at a packed Stade de France against an underwhelming England, knowing what they will need to do four hours after Ireland hosts Scotland in Dublin.

Scotland blew open the title race after destroying France's Grand Slam hopes 50-40 in Edinburgh last Saturday.

Scotland's most basic route to a first title since the 1999 Five Nations is beating Ireland and France losing to England. But Scotland hasn't beaten Ireland since 2017 and not in Dublin since 2010. Ireland has been the graveyard of Scotland dreams in their last 11 contests.

Ireland's simplest path to a third title in four years is beating Scotland and also hoping England beats France.

A draw and/or bonus points spin out the scenarios.

Ireland and Scotland are also in the first showdown since 2009 for the Triple Crown, awarded to the home nation which beats the other three home nations. Ireland won it in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Scotland last won it in 1990.

The championship goes into the last round with a first three-way title shootout since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced an October finish. England won on points difference after Ireland and France couldn't meet scoring requirements.

The other Six Nations match on Saturday is also tasty: Wales hosts Italy in Cardiff. Wales is trying to end a 15-match losing streak in the tournament; Italy is trying for three wins in a single championship for the first time.

Fabien Galthié, France: “We don’t dwell on what just happened (against Scotland), we focus on what's coming next. What matters to us is that we've earned the right to play for the win on Saturday. We'll assess the tournament with its highs and lows later. In this Six Nations championship everything can change from one day to the next. All six teams have experienced positive periods and more challenging times. But the most important thing is that we have the opportunity to play for the win on Saturday night. And that's what motivates us.”

Gregor Townsend, Scotland: “No (I haven't thought of winning the title). It's out of our hands, really. We can only do a certain amount. It's a game against an opponent that's had the upper hand on us for years. It's a challenge but a real opportunity for us to go and deliver an even better performance than we did last week. If we win the game we know there's something at stake. That performance (against France) was close to the best that we've seen from this group and from probably any Scotland team. I think the belief is there that when we get our game right it can put pressure on any defense, and when we get our defense in place we can frustrate opposition. But this is a different challenge. Ireland seem to play very well against us so that's what we’re expecting.”

Andy Farrell, Ireland: “Of course you would like to dream (of the title) but the rest is out of our hands. But something is in our hands and we will focus on our performance, first and foremost. It would be nice to win something that is pretty special for us and that's the Triple Crown. It's been hard to come by over the years when playing for Ireland so we're desperate to get across that. (Scotland) were outstanding against France and we have been preparing for another Scottish performance like that. We'll have to be at our best to beat them as they are a side we have always respected.”

Super Saturday

Ireland vs. Scotland, Dublin, 1410 GMT

Wales vs. Italy, Cardiff, 1640 GMT

France vs. England, Paris, 2010 GMT

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Ireland's players celebrate after their teammate Jamie Osborne scored a try during a Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Wales in Dublin, Ireland, Friday, March 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Scotland's Kyle Steyn celebrates scoring a try during the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday March 7, 2026. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)

France's Antoine Dupont and Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, left, in action during the Six Nations rugby match between Scotland and France in Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday March 7, 2026. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)