At least eight people have died and 82 others are reported missing after a powerful landslide struck Indonesia’s West Bandung region in West Java in the early hours of Saturday, according to the country’s disaster mitigation agency.
The landslide hit Pasirlangu village at around 2:00–2:30 am local time, following hours of intense rainfall. A surge of water mixed with loose soil from the slopes of Mount Burangrang crashed into residential areas, destroying nearly 30 homes while most residents were asleep, Indonesian media outlet Kompas reported.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that the landslide affected two villages in the West Bandung area. BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari said that as of 10:30 am on Saturday, dozens of residents had been found alive, while search efforts continued for those still missing.
“The number of missing persons remains high, and we are optimising search and rescue operations today,” Muhari told reporters, adding that unstable ground conditions were slowing progress.
Indonesia’s armed forces, police, regional disaster response teams, volunteers, and local residents have been deployed in the emergency response. Search teams are carrying out manual excavation, using water pumps to loosen debris and deploying drones to locate victims buried under mud and rubble.
West Bandung mayor Jeje Ritchie Ismail said rescue workers were facing extremely challenging conditions. “The terrain is very difficult, and the soil remains unstable,” he warned.
Indonesia’s meteorological agency had issued warnings earlier this week of extreme weather and prolonged heavy rainfall across West Java. The latest disaster comes amid growing concern over Indonesia’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards, exacerbated by deforestation and environmental degradation.
The landslide follows a series of deadly floods and landslides across the country in recent months, including disasters in Sumatra that killed around 1,200 people and displaced more than 240,000. Earlier this month, flash floods on Siau Island killed at least 16 people.
Environmental experts have repeatedly pointed to forest loss—often linked to mining, logging, and palm oil expansion—as a major factor worsening landslides and flooding. In response, the Indonesian government has recently revoked dozens of permits held by forestry, mining, and hydroelectric companies and has filed lawsuits against six firms accused of contributing to environmental damage.
As climate change intensifies rainfall patterns and sea levels rise, Indonesia continues to face mounting risks from natural disasters across its islands.
(With inputs from various news reports)
The landslide was triggered by heavy and prolonged rainfall, which loosened soil on the slopes of Mount Burangrang, causing mud and water to rush into nearby villages.
As of Saturday morning, eight people were confirmed dead, dozens were rescued, and 82 people were reported missing.
The landslide struck Pasirlangu village and another nearby village in the West Bandung region of West Java province.
Rescue efforts involve Indonesia’s armed forces, police, regional disaster agencies, volunteers, and local community members, using manual excavation and drones.
Indonesia’s geography, heavy seasonal rains, deforestation, mining activities, and climate change have increased the frequency and severity of landslides and floods.