What Happened in Indonesia? Six Dead and 14 Missing After Flash Floods and Landslides
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Synopsis
In a tragic incident in Indonesia's West Papua province, flash floods and landslides have led to six confirmed deaths and left over 14 individuals missing. Rescuers are working diligently to locate the missing as heavy rainfall hampers their efforts. Read on to discover the challenges faced by rescue teams in this mountainous region.
Key Takeaways
- Six confirmed deaths from the disaster.
- Over 14 individuals remain missing.
- Rescue teams are facing harsh weather conditions.
- Manual search operations are ongoing due to difficult terrain.
- Communication issues delayed the response to the disaster.
Jakarta, May 19 (NationPress) On Monday, rescuers unearthed five additional bodies of individuals affected by the flash floods and landslides that struck Indonesia's West Papua province, raising the casualty count to six. Meanwhile, over 14 individuals are still unaccounted for, as confirmed by an official.
Yefri Sabaruddin, who leads the provincial search and rescue operations, reported that some bodies were located on the surface, while others were trapped under debris, including wood and branches, in the disaster-stricken areas of Gunung Arfak Regency.
“Today, we’ve recovered five bodies. They have been transported to a temporary location,” Sabaruddin informed Xinhua news agency. “Our primary goal now is to locate the 14 missing individuals. We are determined to find them.”
As the search progresses, the next phase will involve focusing on the downstream sections of the rivers that flow through the affected areas.
“There’s a chance that the victims were carried away downstream,” Sabaruddin elaborated.
The operation is being conducted manually due to the difficult terrain of the mountainous region, which restricts the use of heavy equipment.
However, Sabaruddin indicated that the search efforts have been momentarily halted because of the persistent heavy rainfall in the region.
“We are concerned about the potential for additional flash floods or landslides, which could jeopardize the safety of our rescue teams,” he said.
The operation is anticipated to resume on Tuesday, but could face delays if weather conditions do not improve.
The flash floods and landslides struck Gunung Arfak Regency on Thursday night following torrential rain. The lack of effective communication in the area contributed to delays in alerting rescue teams to the disaster.
Point of View
It is our responsibility to provide timely and accurate information regarding the devastating impact of natural disasters like the recent flash floods and landslides in Indonesia. Our coverage aims to highlight both the challenges faced by rescue teams and the resilience of affected communities.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people have died in the floods?
As of now, six individuals have been confirmed dead due to the flash floods and landslides in West Papua.
How many people are still missing?
Currently, over 14 people remain unaccounted for following the disaster.
What caused the flash floods and landslides?
The flash floods and landslides were triggered by heavy rainfall that occurred on Thursday night.
Why is the rescue operation facing challenges?
The search and rescue operation is hampered by difficult terrain and ongoing heavy rainfall, making it unsafe for heavy machinery.
When is the rescue operation expected to resume?
The operation is anticipated to resume on Tuesday, but may face delays depending on weather conditions.
