By Micah Jonah
January 27, 2026
At least 17 people have died following a landslide in Pasirlangu village, West Java, Indonesia, while 42 others remain missing, officials said. Among those unaccounted for are 19 members of Indonesia’s elite marine force, who were training near the Indonesia-Papua New Guinea border at the time of the disaster.
Heavy rainfall on Saturday triggered the slope failure which engulfed houses and the marine training camp. Four marines were confirmed among the dead. Rescue efforts have been hindered by narrow access roads, unstable ground, mud that reaches up to eight metres in some areas.
More than 50 houses were severely damaged, displacing over 650 residents. Rescuers continue to dig through mud, rocks, uprooted trees, despite concerns over additional landslides in the area. Local authorities have blamed nearby vegetable plantations for contributing to the slope failure and pledged to relocate residents.
Families of the missing, including those with multiple relatives affected, expressed grief, urged that the victims’ bodies be recovered.
Officials warned that unstable conditions continue to pose risks to both the survivors and rescue teams.
