A joint search and rescue team succeeded in finding two victims of the Tana Toraja landslide disaster, South Sulawei, Monday (15/4) in Manggau Village, Makale District. Both of them were found dead and their bodies were immediately buried at Lakipadada Hospital, Tana Toraja.
With the discovery of these two victims, the total number of fatalities from the landslide disaster in Tana Toraja became 20 people. In detail, 16 victims were found in Manggau Village, Makale District and four other victims were found in Lembang Randan Baru Village in South Makale District.
“After the discovery of all the victims, the search and rescue operation was stopped. “Nevertheless, the joint team will still be on standby if there are reports of residents who feel they have lost their family members,” said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, Tuesday (16/4).
Muhari explained that efforts to search and rescue the victims were slightly hampered by weather factors. Apart from fog, moderate to high intensity rain still occurs frequently.
This obstacle caused the joint team to stop search operations several times. To maintain the safety of team members.
Apart from that, said Muhari, the search and rescue process still uses minimal equipment. The terrain is steep and on a slope and cut off access makes it difficult for heavy equipment to reach the affected location.
Also read: Tana Toraja landslide, death toll reaches 18 people
“Due to the efforts of the joint team with local residents, the entire series of search and rescue operations might be carried out well,” he said.
As a form of support for accelerating the handling of the impact of the landslide disaster in Tana Toraja, BNPB also sent personnel to the affected locations led by BNPB Deputy for Emergency Management, Fajar Setyawan, who represented the Head of BNPB, Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto.
BNPB also brought a number of logistical support and equipment which included refugee tents, family tents, basic necessities, ready-to-eat food, hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses, folding mattresses, velbeds, light towers, generators, alcohol pumps, water purifiers and chain saws.
Apart from that, BNPB will also provide support in the form of Ready-to-Use Funds (DSP) worth IDR 250 million for emergency management and recovery operations, including to fulfill basic needs for residents affected by the disaster. (Z-3)
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