Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Rescuers in Medan, Indonesia have recovered the body of a man who was buried under tons of mud and rocks following flash floods and a landslide. The incident occurred in a hilly village on Sumatra island, and officials have reported that 11 people are still missing.
The catastrophe was triggered by torrential rain, causing tons of mud, rocks, and trees to roll down from a mountain. The debris reached a river, which then burst its banks and tore through mountainside villages near Lake Toba in North Sumatra province.
Rescue efforts have been underway, with workers using excavators, dogs, and their bare hands to shift the rubble in the worst-hit village. Divers equipped with sonar detection have also been deployed to search for possible victims swept into Lake Toba.
The body of a hotel employee was discovered by rescuers on the lakeside, approximately 500 meters from the devastated Senior Bakara Hotel. The landslide and flash floods have caused significant damage, including the destruction of at least 35 houses, a church, a school, and a hotel in the village of Simangulampe. As a result, approximately 55 families have been forced to seek shelter in a temporary government facility.
Indonesia is no stranger to seasonal rain-induced flooding and landslides, particularly between October and March. The country’s archipelago of 17,000 islands is home to millions of people living in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains.
Lake Toba, covering an area of 1,145 square kilometers, is a popular tourist destination on Sumatra island. Formed by an ancient super volcano, the lake is one of Indonesia’s ten stunning natural attractions that the government aims to develop to attract international tourists.
As the search and rescue operation continues, authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the rainy season.