Basarnas Expands Search Area for Cisarua Bandung Barat Landslide Victims

The joint SAR team during the search process for the landslide victim in Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua District, West Bandung Regency, West Java, Tuesday (27/1/2026). ANTARA/Rubby Jovan

JAKARTA - The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has expanded the search area for victims of a landslide in Cisarua District, West Bandung Regency, West Java, by shifting some of the personnel and heavy equipment to a new sector.

Basarnas Operations and Standby Director Bramantyo said that the expansion of the search area was carried out by moving the focus of the operation from sector A1 and A2 to sector B2 which was considered to have greater potential to find victims.

"If yesterday we were only in A1 and A2 at most, then this morning we will expand to B2. So some of the strengths that exist in the A2 sector we will shift to B2," said Bramantyo, Tuesday, January 27, reported by ANTARA.

Bramantyo said that the B2 sector was prioritized because there were indications that the number of affected houses was more than other sectors.

"Our hope is that B2 can maximize activities, because there are indications that more houses are there," he said.

He explained that some personnel from Battalion 312, which previously numbered around 200 people in Sector A2, were transferred to Sector B2, including additional elements of Brimob and other SAR personnel.

"Those who were shifted were about a hundred people, plus other potential colleagues. Because every day the potential continues to increase," said Bramantyo.

Apart from personnel, he said, Basarnas also added heavy equipment in the form of an excavator to speed up the search process.

"Until now, the excavators used in the SAR operation have reached 13 units," he said.

For the strength of the personnel, Bramantyo said the number continues to increase every day. In today's operation, almost a thousand personnel were involved, an increase compared to the previous day which numbered around 800 people.

"The biggest challenge today is still the same as yesterday, besides the natural factor, the land contour. Because in the field, once we lift one part, sometimes there is immediate movement of the land again," said Bramantyo.