Landslide victims presumed dead

Landslide victims presumed dead

PEMALANG, Central Java: The search for seven people buried in last week's landslide was halted yesterday after four days of futile toil and no hope of survivors.

The landslide, from Mount Kupit, caused by heavy rain on Feb. 7 killed two people, buried seven and critically injured three.

A less extensive landslide on Saturday caused no injuries but triggered fears of another disaster.

Search and rescue leader Moelyono said the operation was halted because there was no way that those buried could survive after almost one week under a seven meter thick land mass.

"We presume all those buried are dead," he told Antara news agency. He added that a plaque would be erected on the site in remembrance of the victims. (pan)