Ten bodies found in landslides in Luwu

en bodies were found and more than ten people were still missing in landslides hitting Binturu and Bukit Sutra villages, Larompong subdistrict, Luwu District, South Sulawesi, a local official said here on Friday.

Seven bodies were found and one person was missing at Binturu, while three bodies were found and more than ten people were missing at Bukit Sutra.

A joint search and rescue team consisting of policemen, military personnel and local residents continued looking for the missing victims.

Around 5,000 villagers at the two landslide-affected villages were isolated and had not received any relief aid as roads had been cut off.

The landslides damaged 24 houses and destroyed 19 others at Binturu village alone.

Larompong Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Alwi said that the landslides and floods killed 13 people and affected at least 30 villages in five subdistricts, Luwu District, around 300 km of Makassar over the past three days.

More than 20,000 people were forced to evacuate to safer areas due to the floods and landslides.

Indonesia`s other provinces affected by floods include Central Sulawesi, North Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan and Aceh. (*)