Indonesian authorities have confirmed that 23 soldiers were killed after severe landslides struck Pasir Langu village in West Java province, officials said Tuesday, as ongoing rescue operations continue amid challenging weather and terrain. The landslides, triggered by days of heavy rainfall, hit the hilly West Bandung regency, burying a military training site where troops were preparing for border patrol duties, authorities reported.
First Admiral Tunggul, a navy spokesperson, said the 23 marines were caught in the sudden collapse of earth and debris during training exercises when saturated soil gave way. Indonesian disaster officials have deployed hundreds of rescuers, including military personnel, police forces, and heavy machinery, to search the vast landslide area.
In addition to the soldiers’ deaths, civilian casualties and missing persons have also been reported, with dozens of residents still unaccounted for in the wider disaster. The region’s disaster mitigation agency said that unstable ground and continued rain have hampered efforts to locate survivors, and evacuation of nearby villagers to safer shelters remains a priority.
Local authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search operations persist under difficult conditions, underscoring the urgent need for improved disaster risk management during Indonesia’s wet season. News as reported.
