Indonesia landslides leave 18 dead, 33 missing in Central Java

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
17 Nov 2025 15:07

At least 18 people are dead and 33 missing after two deadly landslides struck Central Java’s Cilacap and Banjarnegara regions in Indonesia, rescue teams report.

Listen

In this undated photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Friday, November 14, 2025, rescuers search for victims after a landslide on Thursday, November 13, hit a village in Cilacap, Indonesia. (BASARNAS via AP)

At least 18 people have been confirmed dead and 33 remain missing after two separate landslides struck different parts of Central Java, Indonesian authorities said on Monday.

The most severe incident occurred in the city of Cilacap, where the death toll has risen to 16 as of Monday, according to local broadcaster Kompas TV. Search and rescue teams, now in their fifth day of operations, continue to look for survivors and recover bodies from the debris.

Muhammad Abdullah, the Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, confirmed that three more bodies were found on Monday, while seven people are still unaccounted for.

A major landslide hit Situkung Hamlet in Pandanarum Village, Pandanarum Subdistrict, Banjarnegara, Indonesia, this afternoon (Nov 16). Rescue teams are currently on-site managing emergency response efforts.

In a separate earlier incident, four days after another landslide,… pic.twitter.com/RBt0TDUZLH
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) November 16, 2025

Rescue teams search for missing in Banjarnegara regency

In a second deadly incident, a landslide struck Banjarnegara regency in Central Java on Saturday. The local disaster management agency reported that two bodies have been recovered so far, and 26 more people are feared buried beneath the soil.

Heavy rainfall and unstable terrain have complicated ongoing recovery efforts, prompting emergency services to mobilize additional equipment and personnel.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency is coordinating efforts across both regions, as extreme weather continues to increase the risk of additional landslides. Central Java is prone to such disasters, especially during the rainy season when soil erosion and flash floods are common.

Local officials are urging residents in high-risk areas to evacuate as a precaution. The government has also deployed medical and logistical aid to the affected zones.