32 killed in Sangihe Talaud landslides

32 killed in Sangihe Talaud landslides

JAKARTA (JP): Officials said on Monday 32 people were killed
in landslides triggered by days of heavy rain in Sangihe Talaud
regency on Sangir island, North Sulawesi, while 20 others are
feared dead.

"On Monday rescue workers, with the help of local residents,
were trying to dig out some 20 victims from under the mud using
heavy equipment," the head of the Manado Search and Rescue
Agency, Soleman Moerad Kakoe, told The Jakarta Post from Manado,
the capital of North Sulawesi.

Heavy rain has fallen in the area since Jan. 17, and the
landslides on Saturday, followed by an earthquake measuring 5.8
on the Richter scale that hit five villages in the regencies of
Tamako, Tabukan Utara and Manganitu in the early hours on Sunday,
destroyed 40 houses and cut off roads in several areas.

The location of the landslides is about 15 kilometers from
Tahuna Port and about 209 kilometers from Manado Port.

"The 32 victims, from five villages, have been buried with the
help of local authorities.

"The casualties come from the villages of Karatung II and
Toloarane in Manganitu regency, Belengan and Ujung Peliang in
Tamako regency and Bangkitang in Tabukan regency," Soleman said.

A team of six search and rescue officials has been dispatched
to the site of the incident.

The provincial government also has sent rice, iron sheets for
roofing and timber by boat to Sangihe Talaud regency, he said.

"We will probably send more aid but the situation in Manado
also requires attention and monitoring since heavy downpours are
continuing in the area.

"Manado has been hit by massive flooding in the past few days
and several areas have been temporarily inundated," Soleman said.

The search for more landslide victims will continue on
Tuesday, he said.

Sam Ratulangi Airport and Manado Port temporary halted their
operations on Monday as heavy rain and thick fog made it
impossible for activities to continue, he said.

"The visibility was only about 30 meters because of the thick
fog and rain.

"Pilots did not dare to take the risk. On (Monday) afternoon
at about 4:30, a Garuda plane landed and after dropping off its
passengers it departed immediately. But other planes preferred to
wait," Soleman said. (edt)