Seven Dead, Dozens Missing as Landslide Buries Indonesian Village
Seven Dead, Dozens Missing as Landslide Buries Indonesian Village
A devastating landslide struck the West Bandung region of Indonesia’s West Java province on Saturday, January 24, 2026, leaving at least seven people dead and 82 others missing.
The disaster occurred in the early hours of the morning, reportedly hitting Pasirlangu village around 2:00 a.m. local time while many residents were asleep.
The sudden movement of earth was triggered by a week of intense, extreme rainfall that has plagued the region.
According to Indonesian disaster mitigation officials, a “strong flow” of water and loose soil cascaded down the slopes of Mount Burangrang, obliterating approximately 30 homes in its path.
The affected area is estimated to cover roughly 30 hectares (74 acres), creating a massive debris field that has complicated search and rescue efforts.
Emergency teams are currently working through the mud to locate the dozens of people still unaccounted for.
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency spokesperson, Abdul Muhari, confirmed the grim statistics and noted the severity of the situation.
In his official statement regarding the incident, Muhari said: “Seven people have been killed and 82 are missing after a landslide in the West Bandung region of Indonesia’s West Java province.”
This highlights the scale of the tragedy as families wait for news of their loved ones amidst the wreckage.
The timing of this disaster is particularly harrowing, as it comes just weeks after a series of deadly floods and landslides ravaged other parts of the country. In late 2025 and early 2026, similar natural disasters left more than 1,170 people dead across the provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh.
This latest event in West Bandung adds to a growing national crisis driven by seasonal weather patterns and climate-related hazards.
Local authorities have responded by ordering immediate evacuations for residents living in nearby landslide-prone areas.
With the ground still unstable and the threat of further collapses looming, officials are prioritizing the safety of survivors.
The weather agency had previously issued warnings about extreme rainfall for the week, but the sheer volume of the downpour overwhelmed local infrastructure and natural defenses.
Indonesia, an archipelago frequently hit by seismic and weather-related events, has seen flooding become its “foremost climate hazard,” according to environmental experts.
The repetitive nature of these disasters has prompted renewed calls for better disaster preparedness and more robust environmental protections. The destruction of homes in Bandung serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities situated on volcanic slopes during the monsoon season.
As search operations continue into the weekend, the death toll is feared to rise. Rescue teams are battling difficult terrain and persistent rain to reach the most isolated parts of the landslide zone. For now, the focus remains on the 82 individuals missing, as the nation mourns those already confirmed lost in this latest environmental tragedy.
