"The affected area is a large valley surrounded by hills. The soil is loose and muddy so we have to be very careful when digging to prevent more landslides," provincial search and rescue agency chief Agus Haryono told AFP. "The chances of finding anyone alive at this point is slim, but who knows? We just hope and pray that we can find survivors," he continued.
The landslide hit the area on Friday, after two days of constant rain, burying over 100 houses in mud and debris. An eyewitness told AP that the landslide caused one hillside to collapse, followed by another. "In five minutes, there were three (major landslides) and they swept away everything," he said.
The agency spoke to another survivor, who said: "It was like a nightmare…. We suddenly heard a terrible roar and we were immediately fleeing from the rain of red soil." The resident added that others were not able to flee in time: "Many failed and they were buried in the ground."
According to AFP, Sunday's search operations were aided when more complex equipment arrived; a total of 1,250 workers participated in the rescue operations, including police, soldiers and volunteers. "Today the search for survivors will be carried out using heavy excavation equipment. The landslide has blocked road access since yesterday," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of the NDMA told the agency. "Part of the road has now been cleared," he said.
Indonesia's 17,500 islands are home to 250 million people, around half of whom live in areas that are susceptible to flooding. The country is currently experiencing its rainy season, in which heavy downpours frequently cause landslides and flash floods.
AP reports that the landslide was the second in several days to hit Java, Indonesia's most populous island, which is home to 143 million. On Thursday, mud and rocks hit the Wonosobo district and killed at least one villager.
