The death toll from flash floods and landslides in Indonesia&rsquo;s West Papua province has risen to six, with 14 people still unaccounted for, according to rescue officials on Monday.
Yefri Sabaruddin, head of the provincial search and rescue agency, confirmed that five additional bodies were recovered from disaster-hit areas in Gunung Arfak Regency. Some of the victims were found on the surface, while others were buried under debris such as wood and branches.
&ldquo;These five bodies have been moved to a temporary command post,&rdquo; Sabaruddin stated. &ldquo;Our primary focus now is to locate the 14 individuals who are still missing.&rdquo;
Rescuers plan to continue their operation downstream, suspecting that some victims may have been swept away by river currents. The search, however, has been hindered by the region&rsquo;s rugged mountainous terrain, which has made it impossible to deploy heavy machinery.
The rescue effort was temporarily suspended due to ongoing heavy rainfall, which poses a risk of further landslides and flash floods.
&ldquo;We must prioritize the safety of the search teams. The operation is expected to resume on Tuesday, depending on weather conditions,&rdquo; Sabaruddin added.
The disaster struck on Thursday night following intense rainfall. Poor communication infrastructure in the region led to delays in alerting rescue teams, further complicating early response efforts.

Rescue efforts hampered by harsh terrain and heavy rain after deadly natural disaster strikes Gunung Arfak Regency

Flash Floods and Landslides Kill Six, 14 Missing in Indonesia’s West Papua

Rescue efforts hampered by harsh terrain and heavy rain after deadly natural disaster strikes Gunung Arfak Regency

May 19, 2025 | 17:18 IST