Seven missing and 19 dead as landslide and floods batter Sumatra in Indonesia

Torrential rains have triggered flash floods and a landslide on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing 19 with a further seven people still missing.

Mud, rocks and uprooted trees rolled down a mountain and reached a river that burst its banks, tearing through mountainside villages in the West Sumatran province.

By Saturday, seven bodies were pulled from the rubble in the village, of Koto XI Tarusa, said Doni Yusrizal, who heads the local disaster management agency.

Three others were recovered in two other neighbouring villages.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said on Sunday that rescuers retrieved another six bodies in Pesisir Selatan and three more in Padang Pariaman.

That took the total death toll to 19.

The agency said in a statement that the flash flood injured at least two villagers, and rescuers are searching for seven people who are reportedly still missing.

It is understood that more than 80,000 people fled to temporary government shelters after the flash floods.

It saw 14 houses buried and 20,000 homes flooded up to their roofs in nine districts and cities across West Sumatra.

“Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by power outages, blocked roads covered in thick mud and debris,” Mr Yusrizal said.

Heavy rains cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, where millions live in mountainous areas or near floodplains.