17 killed, 100 missing in Indonesia landslides

Jakarta, Dec 13: At least 17 people have been killed and 100 went missing in the landslides caused by heavy rainfall in Indonesia's Java island, officials said on Saturday.

The downpours were to be blamed for the disaster which occurred on Friday evening in Banjanegara district.

"As many as 17 corpses have been found and 100 others remain missing. They were buried under the houses," an official told Xinhua.

He said that the search and rescue operation in underway, involving soldiers, police, rescuers from local search, rescue offices, officials from the local disaster agency, and volunteers.

Meanwhile, four people, seriously injured in the disaster, are being treated in a nearby hospital, and 11 others sustained light injuries, the official added.

IANS