Over the weekend, at least 15 people were killed and 18 others missing after landslides hit central Indonesia, say the local authorities.
Heriyanto, head of the local rescue agency (BASARNAS) said the landslide happened on Sunday morning in Suwawa district, Gorontalo province, killing miners and residents living around the illegal mine.
Five survivors were evacuated, while the rescue team intensify search for 18 missing people on Monday.
“We have deployed 164 personnel, consisting of the national rescue team, police and military personnel, to search for the missing people,” Heriyanto said.
To reach the landslide site, rescuers must walk about 20km and were being hindered by thick mud over the road and torrential rain in the area, Heriyanto said.
“We will try to use an excavator once it’s possible,” he said.
The landslide damaged several houses and one bridge, Indonesia’s disaster agency (BNPB) said.
BNPB also cautioned residents in Gorontalo province, informing them about torrential rains likely on Monday and Tuesday. It urged people to be alert in case there are more disasters.
Torrential rain which triggered flash floods and mudslides killed more than 50 people in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province in May.