"Chief of Nele Lamadike Village Pius Pedang told me that hundreds of people are missing in the landslide disaster," East Flores Deputy District Head Agustinus Payong Boli told Antara on a phone call.
The landslide was triggered by incessant heavy rain and strong wind occurring in the village, he added.
"Hundreds of people are reportedly buried by landslide and until now they have not been found," he said, adding that Pius Pedang told him about the buried victims in a phone conversation.
Related news: BNPB confirms 20 missing, 14 injured following landslide in Nganjuk
The NTT authorities coordinated search and rescue operations with related agencies in the disaster location. They also arranged a deployment of heavy equipment, he added.
"We will immediately deploy heavy equipment to the field to look for the victims," Boli said.
Related news: Two killed in landslide that hit Kupang, NTT: BPBD
Translator: Aloysius L, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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