19 killed, in floods, landslides in western Indonesia

At least 19 people have killed in flash floods and landslides in Indonesia's western Sumatra Island. Besides, seven others are still missing.

Muharrindo Idwan, a senior official of the Provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency, said most of the casualties occurred in the Selatan area of Pesici. A total of 16 bodies have been recovered from there and seven others are still missing. 3 bodies were found in Pariaman area.

"The victims were not only swept away by strong currents, but also buried by soils during the landslides," he said.

Fajar Sukma, head of the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency's emergency unit, said on Saturday that the floods had receded, but tens of thousands of houses remained submerged.

Sukma said that the search and rescue operations for the missing persons are underway. Disaster agency workers, army, police and volunteers are carrying out rescue operations. Relief agencies and other government institutions have started emergency relief operations.