Death toll from landslides rises to 5

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The death toll from Monday's landslides that hit four villages in Majene regency, South Sulawesi, rose to five on Tuesday after another body was found by rescuers.

Another victim is in a critical condition and four others are missing, Majene Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Kawedar said, but he was unable to identify them.

The landslides buried 10 houses in the villages of Patadda, Sendana, Sepong and Tallu Banua, destroyed two bridges and swept through part of the street in Sepong.

Majene regent Muhammad Darwis said on Monday the landslides followed two days of heavy rain.

He said all the victims were passengers of a bus traveling from Sidrap regency to Mamuju regency via Majene, where it was making a stopover.

Darwis said local residents from the four villages were evacuated to safer areas, while tap water and electricity to Sendana subdistrict were cut. --Antara