The death toll from the landslide that struck Pasirlangu Village in Cisarua Sub-district, West Bandung Regency of Indonesia's West Java Province, on Saturday had risen to 50, with 30 victims already identified, according to local police on Tuesday.
Local media quoted the West Java Police as saying that the Disaster Victim Identification post at the disaster site had received many body bags evacuated by the joint search and rescue team. And around 30 bodies have been successfully identified and handed over to their families. Local Police also said identification work on the remaining bodies is still underway through data reconciliation, including comparisons of post-mortem and ante-mortem information, as the list of missing persons continued to be updated.
To accelerate search efforts, authorities have also deployed search-and-rescue dogs to assist joint teams in locating victims buried under landslide debris, particularly in areas difficult to access with heavy equipment.
"In fact, the situation is very complicated. The area is too large, and the ground is muddy and slippery, which significantly hinders and even blocks the search and rescue process. Therefore, we have used search-and-rescue dogs to sweep large areas. We will make maximum use of search-and-rescue dogs on locations where victims or remains are suspected to be, so as to avoid a blind search," said a rescuer named Wajar Kurniato.
Experts said that the landslide was triggered not only by continuous heavy rainfall, but also by local geological factors, such as weathered volcanic rocks, steep slopes, and existing cracks and faults.
Meanwhile, geological experts at the site are conducting surveys to assist in post-disaster resettlement planning.
"Our immediate priority is to assess the risk of further landslides, with the goal of relocating people from these hazardous zones. This disaster highlights the critical need to understand and respect nature, to recognize the full impact of human activity on the environment, and to ensure that all land development is balanced. Ultimately, environmental protection must be our foremost concern," said Anjar Heriwaseso, a researcher at the country's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.
The Bandung City Office for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection has provided trauma recovery services for children affected by the landslide. The assistance included psychological support and the distribution of educational toys, medicines and clothing at evacuation shelters, aiming to help restore children's mental well-being.
Death toll from landslide in Indonesia's West Java rises to 50
