At least 15 killed after landslides hit Indonesias Sulawesi island | Environment News [Video]

At least 15 people have been found dead and two others missing after landslides hit central Indonesia, say the local authorities.

At least 17 victims were evacuated from the landslides that hit Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi province on Saturday evening, local disaster agency head Sulaiman Maila said on Sunday.

“Two of them survived while 15 others sadly passed away,” Maila told the AFP news agency.

“According to reports from residents, there are still two individuals reported missing, presumably buried under the landslide debris,” he said, adding that rescue efforts were ongoing.

Tana Toraja and its surrounding areas have been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past week, he added.

The landslides, triggered by heavy rains, affected two villages in the region and destroyed four homes, Abdul Muhari, the spokesperson for the country’s disaster mitigation agency, said in a statement.

The affected areas are hilly and difficult for rescuers to reach. Photos …