Joint SAR team resumes evacuation of landslide victims in South Tapanuli

Medan, North Sumatra — The Danau Toba Search and Rescue Post, in conjunction with a joint SAR team, has located a second victim of the landslide disaster that occurred in Wek I urban village, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, on Monday (18 May).

“The second victim named Sariman Gulo was found today at 09:30 WIB in a deceased condition,” said Hery Marantika, Head of the Medan A-class Basarnas Office, in an official statement received in Medan on Wednesday.

“Previously the first victim named Yasine Gulo (43), a woman, was found on Tuesday (19 May) morning in a deceased state,” he added.

In the SAR operation, Hery said, the team conducted an integrated search using manual search techniques, phased excavation of landslide material using heavy equipment, and sweeps of points suspected based on community information and field analysis by the team on the ground.

He said the second victim was located after the team carried out further excavation and sweeps in the priority search sector.

“The victim was then evacuated and handed over to the family for burial,” he said.

In response to the tragedy, authorities expressed their condolences to the victim’s family.

He also commended the cooperation of all entities involved in the search operation, including the Danau Toba SAR Post, Sibolga SAR Post, Tapanuli Selatan Regency BPBD, the TNI-Polri, and PT AR Martabe.

“With the recovery of all victims, the SAR operation for the landslide in Batangtoru District is officially declared complete and closed. All involved units will return to their respective duties,” he added.