10 STILL MISSING AFTER INDONESIA LANDSLIDE, FLASH FLOODS

In the aftermath of a devastating flash flood and landslide that struck a village near Lake Toba on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, the search for missing individuals continues unabated. Rescue officials confirmed that at least 10 people remain missing, while one person, a 78-year-old woman, has been tragically confirmed deceased.

The torrential rainfall on Friday night unleashed a torrent of water and mud that ravaged residential areas in the village, sweeping away dozens of houses and destroying a hotel. The initial estimate of missing persons stood at 11, but the subsequent discovery of a body has narrowed the search down to 10, including two children aged six and eight.

Relief efforts remain focused on locating and rescuing the missing individuals, with around 140 villagers having been evacuated to safety. The national search and rescue agency, Basarnas, is coordinating the search operations, deploying personnel and equipment to scour the affected areas.

The tragic incident highlights the destructive power of extreme weather events and the vulnerability of communities living in disaster-prone regions. As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and rebuilding the damaged infrastructure.