Death Toll Rises to 30, 21 Still Missing in Central Java Tragedy

The death toll from devastating landslides in Central Java, Indonesia, has climbed to 30, as intensive rescue operations continue across the afflicted regions, the disaster mitigation agency confirmed on Friday.

Torrential rain triggered landslides in the city of Cilacap last week and the Banjarnegara region over the weekend, leaving 21 people still missing.

Banjarnegara, the hardest-hit area, saw the recovery of seven more bodies on Thursday, raising its death toll to 10, with 18 people still unaccounted for. According to agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari, more than 900 residents have been evacuated, dozens of houses were damaged, and seven people were injured.

In Cilacap, four additional bodies were found this week, bringing the death toll there to 20, with three residents still missing. Search operations have been extended until next week, and nearly 400 people have been evacuated.

Over 700 rescuers, including military and police, are using heavy equipment like excavators, but face severe challenges due to debris-filled ponds, continuous water flow, and the high risk of new landslides from ongoing seasonal rains. Indonesia's wet season runs from September to April, increasing the risk of such extreme weather events.