BNPB Data Says Victims Died Due To Serasan Natuna Landslide Are 46 People, 2,240 People Are Evacuated

Photo Archives. A number of funeral officers lifted bags containing the bodies of landslide victims to be buried in Serasan District/ANTARA

NATUNA - Data from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) states that the death toll from a landslide that occurred on March 6, 2023, on Serasan Island, Natuna Regency, Riau Archipelago Province, reached 46 people per Sunday, March 12.

Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari conveyed that the number of dead victims that had been found was 46 consisting of 24 men and 22 women. There are still nine landslide victims who have not been found.

Abdul said that efforts to search, help and evacuate residents affected by landslides in Serasan District, Natuna Regency, were still continuing with the support of seven additional pieces of heavy equipment from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) as well as additional personnel from the TNI and Polri.

"The weather which is gradually improving is also a supporting factor for search, rescue, and evacuation operations," he said as quoted in a BNPB press release in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, March 13.

According to data from the Natuna Landslide Disaster Emergency Post at PLBN Serasan, there are still 2,240 residents affected by the landslide who have fled.

They occupy shelters at PLBN (436 people), Payak Village (605 people), Batu Berlian Village (136 people), SMA N 1 Serasan (238 people), Pelimpak (432 people), and Airnusa (393 people).

According to the BNPB's recommendation based on weather forecast information and the results of analysis by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) field team, they temporarily left their homes to avoid the possibility of further landslides.