Jakarta (AsiaNews) - At least 32 people have died in a landslide that struck the village of Cimapag in the province of West Java on New Year's Eve. This is stated by the National Agency for the Mitigation of Disasters (BNPB), one week after the start of rescue operations.
After days of torrential rains, mud and debris submerged the mountain village. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the BNPB, confirms in a statement yesterday that all the victims have been identified. The official added that in the last 10 years there have been at least 132 landslides in the Sukabumi regency, where Cimapag is located. "At the moment - he says - about 100 people have been hit by the landslide and rescue teams have saved the lives of another 64 inhabitants".
The West Java police headquarters sent a special team of female agents to the site to offer psychological support to the survivors.
Prior to last week's natural disaster, the village of Cimapag was known as a popular tourist destination, where visitors could come into contact with the tribal traditions of the natives. The village boasts cultural attractions and ritual ceremonies that attract Indonesian and foreign tourists.
