Indonesia Landslides: 51 Died

Indonesia Landslides: 51 Died
The numbers could still rise
Parhlad Kumar Aggarwal 26/12/2007 11:24:17 AM(IST)

Hours of heavy rain triggered landslides Wednesday that killed at least 51 people in western Indonesia, a rescue official said.



The deaths occurred in several districts on the main island of Java after more than 12 hours of nonstop rain, local search and rescue chief Eko Prayitno said.



"At least 51 victims have been buried, but the numbers could still rise," he said.



El-Shinta radio station put the death toll at 61, while Metro TV said 59 people had died.



Metro TV reported that rescue officials were trying to reach the affected areas, 300 miles east of the capital Jakarta. The report said there was little chance of getting heavy lifting equipment to the scenes because of roads blocked by landslides.



Seasonal downpours cause dozens of landslides and flash floods each year in Indonesia, where millions of people live in mountainous regions and near fertile flood plains close to rivers.


Some environmentalists and government officials say deforestation is often a factor in the disasters, which they contend loosens soils on mountainsides.