Cilacap Landslide Death Toll Increases To 20, SAR Operation Extended

JAKARTA The search and rescue operation (SAR) at the landslide incident in Cibeunying Village, Majenang District, Cilacap Regency, Central Java, again found two bodies on Wednesday, November 19.

With this latest finding, the number of victims who died increased to 20 people, while the other three were still missing. SAR operations were officially extended.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said that the latest data from the Emergency Handling Field Post showed that a number of victims had not been found.

"On this consideration, Basarnas extended the duration of the SAR operation from a standard of seven days to ten days," Abdul said in his statement received, Wednesday, November 20.

The extension was carried out based on several reasons, including requests from victims' families, the number of missing victims who were only three people, and direct instructions from the Head of BNPB as the command for emergency handling. Basarnas as the leading sector for search and rescue adds to the operating period for the next three days.

In the next search, the SAR team will focus their activities on two location points. It is estimated that there is still one victim in the worksite B1, while it is suspected that there were two other victims.

Local Government Prepares Huntara

In the midst of ongoing search efforts, the Cilacap Regency Government has begun to prepare temporary shelters (huntara) for affected residents. The Regent of Cilacap, Syamsul Auliya Rachman, has provided an area of 3.9 hectares in Jenang Village, Majenang District, about two kilometers from Cibeunying Village.

Based on the release of the Geological Agency dated November 18, 2025, the relocation location is considered to be potentially suitable for use. To ensure the safety and suitability of the concept of build back better and safer, the Geological Agency team will soon depart to conduct field investigations.

"The data collection on affected residents who are recommended to move is still ongoing. Currently, 296 families will be relocated," said Syamsul.

The construction of the shelters was accelerated so that the refugees would immediately get a more appropriate place to live, considering that some residents still occupy the evacuation posts at the Cibeunying Village Hall, MTS SS Cibeunying, and the Baeturrohman Wanasari Mosque.

BNPB also provides options for residents to evacuate independently, such as contracting a house or living with their families. To support this, the government provides a Hunian Wait Fund of IDR 600 thousand per month per family for six months.

BNPB ensures that the basic needs of the refugees, both those in refugee posts and those who evacuate independently, will still be met.

Residents can contact officers at Cibeunying Village Hall to get assistance in the form of blankets, mattresses, basic necessities, ready-to-eat food, to clothes for children and adults.