Bodies emerge from thick mud

PADANG, West Sumatra: Body parts believed to be of 10 victims missing in the December landslide here have surfaced through the mud following a heavy downpour.

Most of the remains, however, could not be identified because they had decomposed, acting Mayor Masril Payan said recently.

Local residents discovered the remains over the past week, which saw continuous rains eroded the hard mud covering the bodies, Masril added.

At least 35 people were buried under mud after a landslide struck a settlement in Palinggam district on Dec. 9 last year. At least 24 houses were swept away in the disaster.

Rescue teams recovered 20 bodies and saved three people before the search was ended due to the dangerous terrain. (28/edt)