Landslides kill 18 on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, two missing

Landslides on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on the weekend killed at least 18 people with rescue efforts, including police sniffer dogs, still ongoing for two missing people, local authorities said on Monday. The local government in South Sulawesi also reported that two people were in a critical condition in hospital.

Landslides, triggered by high-intensity rains, affected two villages in the region of Tana Toraja, in South Sulawesi and destroyed four homes, according to the country’s disaster mitigation data on Sunday.

Photos of affected villages provided by the agency showed rescuers trawling through the rubble for survivors, with homes flattened and reduced to planks of wood and concrete.

Emergency response efforts have been complicated by poor weather conditions and damage to roads into the affected areas, making it difficult for vehicles, including ambulances to evacuate victims, the agency previously said.

Located in the centre of Sulawesi island, the mountainous region of Tana Toraja is about 300 km (186 miles) from the provincial capital, Makassar.

Floods and landslides killed at least 26 people on Indonesia’s Sumatra island last month, with torrential rains destroying hundreds of homes, and displacing thousands.

Indonesia’s rainy season began in January with the meteorological agency forecasting a first-quarter peak, particularly on the islands of Java and Sumatra.

Source: SABC

In other news – Abdullah Ibrahim honoured with award in Cape Town

South African Jazz Legend and international sensation, Abdullah Ibrahim, has been honoured with the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series award in Cape Town. This marks the seventh edition of the Series.

Abdullah Ibrahim

 

It’s an initiative the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture has bestowed on accomplished local artists. Read more

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