The death toll from floods and landslides in Sumatra, Indonesia, has risen to 44.
On May 13th, Indonesian disaster response teams reported that the death toll had risen to 44 as they recovered seven more bodies on the day. They are currently conducting search operations for 15 missing people.
An official from the Indonesian disaster authority explained, “Hundreds of people, including police, soldiers, and residents, are participating in the search operation, but it is challenging to search for the missing in the hardest-hit areas of West Sumatra, Agam, and Tanah Datar regions, which are buried in gravel and mud that flowed from the nearby Marapi volcano.”
Heavy rainfall beginning on the night of May 11th triggered the floods and landslides that devastated villages in West Sumatra. The natural disaster destroyed homes, buildings, and infrastructure, forcing approximately 3,100 people to evacuate to shelters.
Earlier in March, West Sumatra experienced similar tragedies, with 26 people killed and 11 missing due to floods and landslides. Also, at the end of last year, 23 hikers lost their lives in a sudden eruption of the Marapi volcano.
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