Deadly Landslide in Indonesia Kills 7, Dozens Missing

Devastating Landslide Strikes West Java Village

A catastrophic landslide has struck Pasirlangu village in West Bandung, Indonesia's West Java province, killing at least seven people and leaving dozens missing in what authorities describe as a major disaster. The tragedy occurred around 2am local time on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when a powerful flow of water and loose soil from the slopes of Mount Burangrang smashed into approximately 30 homes while residents were sleeping.

Rescue Operations Intensify

Indonesian disaster officials have mobilized all available search and rescue teams to locate survivors in the 30-hectare affected area. 'The number of missing persons is high, we will deploy all our search and rescue teams today,' said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB). The landslide was accompanied by flash flooding, with residents reporting a loud rumbling sound before the disaster struck.

According to village head Nur Awaludin Lubis, 23 residents were found safe, but approximately 111 people from 34 households remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams from Indonesia's armed forces, disaster management agencies, and volunteers are working around the clock in challenging conditions.

Extreme Weather Warnings

The disaster follows extreme weather warnings from Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which had predicted heavy rainfall across West Java province. 'We had warned about extreme weather conditions with heavy rains forecasted across West Java,' a BMKG official stated. The agency expects the severe weather to continue throughout the week, raising concerns about additional landslides in the region.

This tragedy marks the second major landslide in Java in just over two months, following a November landslide at Cibeunying village that killed 11 people. It also comes on the heels of deadly floods and landslides in December that killed over 1,170 people across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces.

Indonesia's Vulnerability to Natural Disasters

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The country experiences frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides, especially during the rainy season from October to April. According to Wikipedia's list of natural disasters in Indonesia, landslides are very common in upland areas and cause significant local damage and deaths each year.

Environmental experts point to deforestation and unstable terrain as contributing factors to the increasing frequency and severity of landslides in the region. 'This tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges Indonesia faces with natural disaster management,' noted a disaster response coordinator working at the scene.

Authorities have ordered evacuations in landslide-prone areas and are providing temporary shelter for displaced residents at the local village office. The most urgent needs include disaster budget support and food assistance for affected families as rescue operations continue.