I offer my deep condolences over the landslide in Sumedang District of West Java Province that claimed lives.Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) extended his condolences over the landslides in Sumedang District, West Java, that claimed at least 24 lives and left 16 others missing.
"I offer my deep condolences over the landslide in Sumedang District of West Java Province that claimed lives," Jokowi stated at the Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Friday.
Heavy rains triggered the landslide in Cihanjuang Village, Cimanggung Sub-district, Sumedang District, West Java, on Saturday (Jan 9) and buried dozens of houses.
"I have instructed the chief of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), social affairs minister, and public works minister to immediately relocate the disaster-impacted people," the president remarked.
The head of state also pressed for continued public vigil over natural disasters during the rainy season.
"I called on the people to increase awareness over the extreme weather conditions, including heavy rains, and always take notice of the early warnings issued by the BMKG (the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency)," he remarked.
The landslide, triggered by downpour, first occurred on Saturday at around 3:30 p.m. local time and was followed by another landslide at around 7 p.m. local time.
Apart from local residents, victims of the second landslide included members of the search team comprising military officers and Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas) personnel.
The Search and Rescue team found 24 dead, while 16 others remain missing. The disaster also inflicted injuries on 36 people.
A joint SAR team, comprising 900 personnel from various institutions, has continued to look for the victims. Related news: Sumedang landslide has come to the president's notice: Minister
Related news: SAR office confirms 27 still missing in Sumedang landslides
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Translator: Desca L Natalia, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
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