Landslide in Indonesia's West Java Claims 17 Lives; Dozens Missing

A landslide struck Pasir Langu village in Indonesia's West Java province early on January 24, 2026, resulting in 17 confirmed fatalities and leaving 73 individuals missing. The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall, buried more than 30 houses in the hilly region approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Jakarta.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities deploying over 2,100 personnel to search for survivors. Efforts are hampered by unstable terrain and deep mud, complicating the use of heavy machinery. The National Disaster Management Agency has warned that heavy rains may persist in the province and other regions for another week, raising concerns about potential further landslides.

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka visited the affected area, urging local authorities to provide immediate assistance to residents and to implement measures to prevent future disasters. Environmental experts have attributed the landslide to the collapse of a natural dam upstream, leading to deadly mudflows. This incident follows a series of natural disasters in Indonesia, including cyclone-induced floods and landslides in Sumatra two months prior that resulted in over 1,200 deaths.