27 Missing Victims of the Pandanarum Landslide in Banjarnegara Still Being Searched For

BANJARNEGARA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, reported that 27 residents are still being searched for after a landslide struck Situkung Hamlet, Pandanarum Village.

"Based on updated data as of 11:23 a.m. Western Indonesian Time, 876 people have been displaced and 27 are presumed missing," said Raib Sekhudin, Head of Emergency and Logistics at the Banjarnegara Regency BPBD, as reported by ANTARA on Monday, November 17.

He said the landslide resulted in the deaths of two residents: Lewih (40), who died while undergoing treatment at Hj. Anna Lasmanah Banjarnegara Regional Hospital, and Esiah (22), who was found buried under landslide material at the scene on Monday at 7:40 a.m. Western Indonesian Time.

In addition, 41 people were successfully evacuated by the joint SAR team after fleeing to the forest when the disaster occurred.

"Based on preliminary data, 30 houses have been affected, while evacuees are spread across three locations: the Pandanarum District Office, the Pringamba Haji Building, and the Beji Village Sports Hall," he said.

The search operation for residents presumed missing involves personnel from the Banjarnegara Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), volunteers, and other search and rescue (SAR) elements.

In addition, damage assessments, needs assessments, and services at field posts are ongoing.

"A public kitchen, emergency tents, and logistical facilities have been prepared at the Pandanarum District Office to meet the needs of evacuees," Raib said.

The Banjarnegara Regency Government has declared a 14-day emergency response status as a follow-up to Regent Decree Number 300.2/871/TAHUN 2025 concerning the Determination of Disaster Emergency Alert Status in Banjarnegara, which was previously issued.

Banjarnegara Regent Amalia Desiana stated that the decision was made after a coordination meeting with the Banjarnegara Regency Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) regarding the Pandanarum landslide disaster response at the Pandanarum District Office on Sunday evening (November 16th).

"We have held a meeting with Forkopimda to determine the emergency response status for the Pandanarum landslide. The disaster response period is valid for 14 days," she said.