TEMPO.CO, Batam - The search for victims of the disastrous landslide at the Serasan sub-regency in Natuna on Tuesday has been hampered by bad weather and unstable land, which poses a heavy risk to search and rescue personnel.

Head of the Riau Islands Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Muhammad Hasbi said he couldn't risk the lives of the rescue workers and volunteers amidst challenging conditions. According to observation in the field, the ground in the area was still visibly moving.

“The search has not commenced due to rain that showered the region throughout the day,” said Hasbi in a phone interview on the afternoon of March 7. “Every piece of equipment is at the location but we cannot do the search yet.”

According to the region’s disaster mitigation agency (BPBD), the death toll has increased to 15 people.

The agency believes there are at least 50 people still stuck under the immense amount of mud and dirt. Victims were extracted from three villages, namely Genting, Pangkalan, and Serasan, according to Natuna BPBD head Raja Darmika.

He revealed that the rescue team is faced with a lack of communication network in the Serasan sub-district. “There are 15 in the official death toll that has been evacuated,” he said on March 7.

Natuna was hit by a disastrous landslide on March 6th which claimed the lives of 10 people and 42 people were still reported missing. There are at least 1,216 people who were displaced from their homes that are now temporarily accommodated at local health centers, houses of worship, and schools spread in the region.

YOGI EKA SAPUTRA

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