JAKARTA, Mar 7 (NNN-ANTARA) – Landslides occurred in Indonesia’s western province of Riau Islands yesterday, leaving at least 10 dead and several others missing, a rescue official said, in a statement.
Heavy downpours and unstable soil conditions were blamed for the natural disaster, in Natuna Regency of the province, the spokesman of National Disaster Management Agency, Abdul Muhari, said.
“The number of casualties may rise,” said Junainah, head of the Emergency Unit of the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency, adding that, the search and rescue operation for the victims is still underway.
Junainah also said that, poor weather conditions and poor telecommunication access had hampered the rescue operation.
Responding to the disaster, the search and rescue office in Natuna Regency deployed a joint-rescue team to the scene, Yusuf Latief, spokesman of the national search and rescue office said.
The team consists of soldiers, police officers, firefighters and personnel of the local disaster management agency, he said.
“The team is now on its way to the scene by ship, but unfavourable weather conditions and huge waves hampered their access to the scene,” Latief said.– NNN-ANTARA
