Search of missing people doubted

BREBES, Central Java (JP): One more body was unearthed on Sunday in the landslide-struck village of Windu Sakti in Salem district here, amid doubts as to the continuation of the search operation.

Rescue workers recovered the body of Sunarto, 30, two meters beneath the surface to bring the confirmed death toll to 11 since the landslide crushed the village on Wednesday night.

Visiting Governor Mardiyanto said if the team was pessimistic about finding the remaining 25 missing people, they might call off the search.

"But if you believe that there are hopes or signs you might find them, please continue," he said on Sunday.

Local police chief Lt. Col. Cornelis Hutagaol insisted that the operation would continue. He said more personnel had been deployed to join the search.

Despite heavy rain and the remote location, local residents and the rescue team went continued with their efforts.

"We hope to recover one or two more victims. We have also combed the riverbank," Brebes regent Tajuddin Nuraly told The Jakarta Post.

Cornelis said that around 70 personnel were trying to reach Salem district, with the access road to Bantarkawung village, about 12 kilometers north of Windu Sakti, as well as roads in neighboring villages of Boja and Banjarharjo covered in mud.

The operation was postponed early in the day due to difficult terrain and inadequate equipment.

"Simple equipment, such as shovels, are not useful to dig mud which has a depth of 25 meters," a member of the rescue team said.

He said heavy equipment could not be used either because the access road to the location was damaged.

Mardiyanto, who stayed overnight in a refugee camp in Tembongraja village, donated Rp 110 million in cash to the refugees to reconstruct residents' houses and the road to Windu Sari. (45/har/jun/edt)