The Number Of Victims Of The Sumatra Disaster Has Increased To 708 People, 499 Are Still Missing

Soldiers from the TP 897/Singalang Battalion carried the bodies of the victims who died due to flash floods in Nagari Salareh Aia Timur, Palembayan, Agam, West Sumatra, Monday (1/12/2025). BETWEEN PHOTOS/Wahdi Septiawan/YU

JAKARTA - BNPB reported the latest developments in handling floods and landslides that hit the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. As of Tuesday, December 2 afternoon, the total death toll reached 708 people, while 499 people were still reported missing.

"This afternoon, for the status of the search and rescue results, 708 people died, 499 people were still missing in three provinces," said Head of BNPB Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari at a press conference at Sultan Iskandar Muda Air Base, Banda Aceh, Tuesday, December 2.

North Sumatra became the most affected area with 294 deaths and 155 missing. The worst-affected areas are in Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, Sibolga, and North Tapanuli.

Abdul Muhari said that logistics distribution was carried out by land, sea, and air to reach isolated areas.

"For land routes, we currently have and are running 6 trucks with tonnage of 15 tons each. For logistics from the sea, there are 100 tons of logistics shipments from Jakarta that will reach Sibolga," he said.

Air support is also reinforced by seven helicopters operating in Silangit, consisting of four units belonging to BNPB and three from the TNI. Limited transport capacity is followed by additional frequency of diesel and deployment plans of up to 30 helicopters and Caravan aircraft.

Meanwhile, in Aceh Province, 218 people were reported dead and 227 are still missing. Search and rescue assisted by better weather following weather modification operations.

"We hope that the weather conditions where we are still carrying out weather modification operations such as media colleagues see today are very supportive for search efforts," said Abdul Muhari.

The distribution of logistics to Aceh was carried out through four helicopters that reached Aceh Tamiang, Central Aceh, and Lhokseumawe. Two special terms to Central Aceh transported a total of 1.5 tons of aid. In addition to air, two TNI trucks also sent more than 12 tons of logistics to Nagan Raya.

"As of today, there are 4 helicopters operating with logistics distribution targets to Aceh Tamiang, Central Aceh, Lhokseumawe, and Central Aceh," he said.

In West Sumatra, the death toll reached 196 and 117 were missing. The main focus of recovery is in Agam Regency and Padang Panjang City which was affected by landslides in the Gunung Singalang area. One Caravan plane and four helicopters were deployed to open access.

"There are three things to focus on recovering from vital infrastructure, namely transportation infrastructure, communication, and energy access, especially electricity and fuel," he added.