Search resumes for victims of Indonesian landslide

Indonesia, Feb 25, 2010 (AFP) - Rescuers with sniffer dogs resumed the grim search for survivors on Thursday after a landslide in Indonesia buried dozens of people, with 17 now confirmed dead.

Indonesia, Feb 25, 2010 (AFP) - Rescuers with sniffer dogs resumed the grim search for survivors on Thursday after a landslide in Indonesia buried dozens of people, with 17 now confirmed dead.

At least two people were pulled from the rubble on Wednesday, the day after the earth slide crushed homes, offices and a processing plant at a tea plantation in West Java, a rescue official said.

Iwan (Ct) faints after finding his wife's dead body after a massive landslide hit Dewata village in Pasir Jambu, West Java, February 25, 2010. AFP photo
Iwan (Ct) faints after finding his wife's dead body after a massive landslide hit Dewata village in Pasir Jambu, West Java, February 25, 2010. AFP photo

More than 1,000 rescuers including police and soldiers are involved in the search for those still buried in the once-picturesque plantation near the village of Ciwidey, but hopes remain slim of finding more people alive.

"Nine sniffer dogs will work with rescuers today to search for any survivors," West Java police spokesman Dade Ahmad told AFP, adding that one helicopter was on stand-by for any emergency rescue.

A rescue official said two brothers were rescued on Wednesday from the rubble of their homes.

"They are very traumatised and weak but no serious wounds," Endang, who was at the site during the rescue, told AFP.

Disaster Management Agency spokesman Priyadi Kardono said a total of 17 bodies have been found dead, adding that 26 people were still believed to be missing, based on the accounts of relatives.

Initially, officials had spoken of more than 70 people missing.

Landslides and flooding are common in Indonesia during the rainy season, which hits a peak from December to February.

"The weather is fine so far, we hope there's no rain that can hamper the operation," police spokesman Ahmad said, adding that three excavators were already at the disaster site.

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