Extreme rainfall triggers deadly landslide in Pasirlangu, West Java, leaving dozens dead and villages buried

Relentless rain sets the scene for disaster

Heavy rainfall began on Saturday, pounding the slopes of Mount Burangrang in West Java, Indonesia. The rain did not ease. Water soaked into the ground, layer by layer, until the soil gave way.

In Pasirlangu village, the hillside collapsed. Mud, rocks, and uprooted trees rushed downhill, engulfing homes and sweeping through a marine training camp. The landslide struck with force. It struck fast.

Officials said the disaster was triggered by extreme weather conditions and intense rainfall, which destabilized the already saturated terrain.

Death toll climbs as searches continue

As of Tuesday evening, authorities confirmed at least 34 people dead, according to Indonesia’s national disaster mitigation agency. Earlier reports had placed the toll above 20, with the number rising as bodies were recovered from deep mud.

At least 32 to 42 people remain missing, depending on local and national counts. Officials warned the true number could be higher as information from remote areas continues to arrive.

Among the dead are 23 members of Indonesia’s elite marine force, who were training at a camp when the landslide struck. A navy spokesperson said the site was overwhelmed by collapsing earth during the storm.

“The incident occurred due to extreme weather conditions with heavy rainfall," said First Admiral Tunggul, speaking on behalf of the navy.

Mud, water, and unstable ground slow rescuers

Search-and-rescue teams have worked day after day in dangerous conditions. The ground remains unstable, soaked through and heavy with water.

“The ground is still very unstable and mixed with water," said Ade Dian Permana, head of the local search and rescue office. Movement is slow. Every step carries risk.

Rescuers dig through thick mud, broken timber, and rocks. In some areas, the mud reaches up to eight meters deep. Heavy machinery is used where possible, but teams also dig by hand, carefully, listening for any sign of life.

Rescue worker Rifaldi Ashabi, 25, said crews are constantly watching the slopes above them. “We are worried about another landslide," he said, as machinery rumbled nearby.

Families wait, fearing the worst

For families, the waiting is unbearable.

Aep Saepudin has come to Pasirlangu every day, searching for news of his 11 missing relatives, including his sister. His voice broke as he spoke to reporters.

“It is impossible that they are still alive," he said quietly. “I just want their bodies to be found. My heart aches."

Around him, other families stand in silence, watching the rescue efforts, hoping, grieving, enduring.

Homes destroyed, hundreds displaced

The landslide has severely damaged more than 50 houses, leaving entire sections of the village buried. Walls collapsed. Roofs vanished under mud.

More than 650 people have been displaced, forced to leave what remains of their homes. Emergency shelters have been set up, while authorities assess the scale of destruction.

West Java governor Dedi Mulyadi said the disaster was worsened by plantations surrounding Pasirlangu, mostly used for vegetable farming. He pledged to relocate residents from high-risk areas.

A country vulnerable during the rainy season

Landslides and floods are common across Indonesia during the rainy season, which typically runs from October to March. Officials have repeatedly warned that deforestation and land-use changes increase the risk.

Forests help absorb rainfall and stabilize soil through root systems. Without them, hillsides become fragile. When heavy rain arrives, collapse can follow.

Authorities said search operations will continue as long as conditions allow. The rain has eased at times, then returned. The ground remains heavy. The danger remains real.