BFF-36 Indonesia landslides kill 11 including infant twins

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Indonesia landslides kill 11 including infant twins

TARAKAN, Indonesia, Sept 28, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Two 10-month-old twins were
among at least 11 people killed in landslides across an Indonesian city early
on Monday, a search and rescue officer said.

Several houses were buried in four separate locations around Tarakan on
Borneo island after hours of heavy rain and strong winds.

Five children were among the dead while four other people were rescued
alive.

“The heavy rain and strong wind triggered landslides in several locations
at almost the same time and some people could not save themselves,” local
search and operation chief Amiruddin, who like many Indonesians goes by one
name, told AFP on Monday.

“Among the victims we retrieved the body of a father and his 10-month-old
twin boys,” he added.

At least 19 homes were damaged across Tarakan.

Fatal landslides and flash floods are very common across the Indonesian
archipelago, where seasonal downpours are frequent and relentless.

Dozens of people died in July after flash floods and landslides hit part
of South Sulawesi province.

Indonesia’s disaster agency has estimated that 125 million Indonesians —
nearly half the country’s population — live in areas at risk of landslides.

BSS/AFP/FI/ 1728 hrs