Rescue team finds one landslide victim

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor

After six days of fruitless searching, the police and military joint rescue team finally managed on Thursday to recover the body of one of five landslide victims in Bogor regency.

The victim, identified as Ujang Zakanuri Karta, was found at 1:27 p.m. by First Corp. Maryono from the Army, who was operating the excavator on Pasir Gudang hill, Pasir Buncir village, Bogor.

At around a depth of 15 meters, Maryono glimpsed part of a hand, and quickly stopped the heavy equipment. Digging with his hands, he uncovered Ujang's body lying face-down.

The rescue team also found mining tools about two hours later.

Ujang's brother Manta, 55, said the family had given up their hopes of finding him.

"We thank the rescue team that found my brother's body. Maybe it was his fate to die like this. Our family has decided to bring his body home. There's no need for an autopsy -- we know what caused his death," he said.

A minor landslide occurred as Ujang's body was evacuated from the site.

The rescue team found it difficult to continue the search for the victims, as the area is prone to landslides caused by illegal mining.

Five people went missing in the landslides that took place on Saturday afternoon. Six others survived the disaster, but suffered fractured limbs.

The 11 were part of a group of sand miners operating illegally in the area, although the regency administration had officially closed the area to mining.

Caringin district head Yasin Zaenudin said he was relieved the rescue team had finally found one of the victims.

The rescue teams are to continue their search for several more days.