Basarnas Opens The Possible Extension Of Search Operations For Victims Of The Cianjur Earthquake After Entering The 7th Day

The joint SAR team is looking for victims of the Cianjur earthquake who are still missing. (Diah-VOI)

The joint SAR team has opened the possibility of extending the search for victims of the Cianjur earthquake who are still missing after entering the seventh day of the search.

Head of Basarnas Marshal TNI Henri Alfiandi said there was a possibility that the search period for earthquake victims due to being buried by landslide material would be extended, such as the evacuation period for victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru in December 2021.

"Basarnas has a matter of time. The first is the first seven days. Then whether this is extended or not, it is usually extended. If we look until this Friday, we will continue to look for this. Like our experience in Semeru, even for almost a month we are still looking for it," said Henri when met at the Raider 300 Brajawijaya Infantry Battalion, Cianjur, West Java, Friday, November 25.

Based on his records this morning, there are still 39 people who have not been found. Henri said the search team was deployed as many as 217 people. The team will look for victims in three locations.

"Today it is focused on landslide areas, namely in Cicadas Village, roadside Shinta Restaurant, and in Cijedil Village," he said.

According to reports received by Basarnas, these three locations became the most buried points. One of them is public transport vehicles that fell into rivers on the side of the road due to landslides.

In the search since 05.00 WIB until this afternoon, the team has found 7 victims buried by landslides.

"We will continue to look for them, we will continue to work since the incident. Until now, we have arranged the change of personnel for the search in such a way that the mentality and physicality are maintained," said Henri.

However, Henri has not been able to confirm who the identities of the victims have been found today. The body has now been put in a body bag and sent to the forensic team for identification.

"We don't know yet whether this is a crossing person or he is a customer from a restaurant. We can't confirm who this is because it's the duty of the forensic and BNPB," he explained.