Death Toll in Banjarnegara Landslide Climbs to 64

Banjarnegara, C Java, Dec 16 (ANTARA Lampung) - The death toll of the landslide that hit Jemblung hamlet in Central Java's Banjarnegara district rose to 64 on Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

Head of the agency's Data and Information Center Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said here on Tuesday that of the 64 fatalities, 41 were male victims and 23, female. Another 44 victims are still being traced.

On Tuesday, rescuers found eight more bodies and a woman's foot, Nugroho stated, adding that six of the 64 bodies have yet to be identified.
"So far, 1,146 people have been evacuated and accommodated in ten locations," he affirmed.

He further noted that his side was still taking measures to relocate the evacuees.
Nearly 200 of the 308 residents of Jemblung survived the disaster. The remaining 108 are believed to be buried under the debris of the landslide, he pointed out.

According to the agency, the landslide destroyed 35 houses, a mosque, and eight hectares of rice fields, and covered nearly one kilometer of the river that passes through the village.

"We are still calculating the material losses," Nugroho revealed.

Cars and motorcyclists passing through the area when the landslide struck were also buried under the debris.

The major landslide hit Banjarnegara last Friday (December 12) following heavy rains.