Heavy rain on Friday 2 January caused a landslide at the hamlet of Cintamnah in Cisempur village, Jatinangor district, Sumedang regency, West Java. Officials reported that four construction workers were buried by the collapse of unstable earth on a housing project built on a slope. Rescuers have recovered three people, while search teams continue to hunt for four others.
Jatinangor landslide search operations continue
The Bandung Search and Rescue Office received the report at approximately 14:45 Western Indonesia Time and immediately dispatched a rescue team. Mochamad Adip, head of operations and preparedness at the office, said teams from several agencies joined the effort. “We received information that three workers have been evacuated in good condition, while four remain under the debris and are being searched for by the joint SAR teams,” he said.
Local authorities said the landslide occurred where houses were being constructed on an unstable slope. Heavy rain saturated the ground and triggered the slide, which buried workers under soil and construction material. Rescue workers moved quickly to clear debris and locate victims with limited light as operations continued into the evening.
Field teams identified two of the survivors as Ahmid, 71, and Dian, 41. Both were evacuated to Padjadjaran University Hospital for assessment and treatment. A third worker, Dahlan, 42, was reported in good health with no visible injuries and remained at the scene to assist with the response.
The missing workers have been named by officials as Ade, Ivan, Ujang and Heri. Rescuers used basic excavation equipment and manual labour to search through compacted soil. Officials warned that the unstable ground and risk of secondary slides complicated the operation and required careful coordination between SAR personnel and local emergency units.
Local residents and volunteers have been assisting where they can, providing information to rescue teams and helping to clear access routes. Authorities established a command post to co-ordinate the multi-agency response and to ensure medical and logistical support for rescue crews.
Emergency services urged nearby communities to remain vigilant while the operation continues. They also advised avoidance of the slope area while heavy rain persisted, as further downpours could create additional hazards for both residents and rescuers.
As night fell, teams continued to search the collapse area with torches and floodlights. Officials said they would maintain operations until all missing persons were found or until adverse conditions forced a temporary suspension for safety reasons. The immediate priorities remain locating the four workers and ensuring the safety of the rescue teams involved in the operation.
Authorities said a full assessment of the site will follow once rescue efforts are complete, to determine the causes of the slope failure and to review safety measures for ongoing construction on inclined terrain.
Key Takeaways:
- Heavy rain triggers Jatinangor landslide in Cisempur, Sumedang.
- Three workers rescued and evacuated; four workers—Ade, Ivan, Ujang and Heri—remain missing.
- SAR Bandung and joint search teams continue operations into the night to locate those still buried.
