(Reuters) — Indonesian search and rescue team pulled a body from the rubble on Tuesday (February 25) after a landslide in Indonesia’s Papua swept through some areas raising the death toll to nine, officials said.
The landslides, which hit on Monday (February 24) were caused by heavy rain that started on Saturday (February 22) which caused flooding, authorities said.
The two areas affected by landslides were Abepura district and the southern district of Jayapura.
“The total number of victims found dead is nine people and one person is still being searched for, while six injured are still being treated in hospital,” Head of Regional Disaster Management Agency, Alfonsus Dias said.
Local media said as many as 15 houses have been severely damaged.
Landslides frequently happen in Indonesia, where tropical downpours can quickly soak hillside areas and years of deforestation often means there is little vegetation to hold soil.
