Landslide in West Java Leaves Several Dead and Dozens Unaccounted For

A pre‑dawn landslide triggered by days of heavy rainfall has killed at least seven people and left more than 80 others missing in West Bandung, West Java, according to Indonesia’s national disaster mitigation agency.

Emergency teams were deployed to Pasirlangu village after the landslide struck at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time, burying homes under mud, rocks, and debris. Officials reported that more than 30 houses were damaged or destroyed, and at least two dozen residents were evacuated despite ongoing heavy rain complicating rescue efforts.

Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Search and Rescue Agency, said authorities were working to “optimise search and rescue efforts” due to the high number of missing residents. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency had issued an extreme‑weather warning for West Java beginning Friday, forecasting heavy rainfall and heightened landslide risk across the region.

The affected area spans roughly 30 hectares, with local officials noting that the landslide was accompanied by flash flooding in parts of the district. Residents living near unstable slopes have been advised to evacuate as a precaution against further soil movement.

Landslides are a recurring hazard in Indonesia, particularly during the wet season from September to April, when intense rainfall increases the likelihood of slope failures. Recent weeks have seen multiple weather‑related disasters across the archipelago, underscoring the vulnerability of communities situated near mountainous terrain or river basins.

Authorities continue to coordinate rescue operations involving national agencies, local government teams, volunteers, and community members as they search for survivors and assess the full extent of the damage.