Five youngsters perish in landslide

PADANG, West Sumatra: An Idul Fitri family gathering in the village of Biduak Lurah Barangin, some 148 kilometers north of Padang, capital of West Sumatra, was brought to an abrupt and tragic end by a landslide on Tuesday night when five members of the family were killed.

A spokesman for Pasaman regency Surya Budi confirmed the incident on Wednesday and said that the landslide occurred following two days of heavy, relentless rain.

A house and a shop were seriously damaged, inflicting material losses of more than Rp 300 million.

Fatalities were identified as Dona, 13; Herman, 17; Hendri Fery, 18; Oki, 11; and Efandli, 12. They were busy chatting to each other on the first floor of the house when the incident took place.

Pasaman Regent Baharudin R. and his deputy Benny Utama visited on Wednesday the site of the landslide to deliver his condolences and a Rp 6 million donation. --Antara