Death toll from Indonesian landslide climbs to 50

A police disaster victim identification team has received a total of 50 body bags from the landslide site in West Bandung district, following additional recoveries by joint search and rescue teams, West Java police said Hendra Rochmawan.

"Of that total, we have successfully identified 34 victims," Hendra said.

Training turned into disaster

Among those confirmed dead were four members of the Indonesian Marine Corps, after tonnes of mud and debris swept through the village when a hillside collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, the navy said.

The Indonesian Navy said 23 marines were buried by the landslide.

"So far, four personnel have been found dead. The others have not yet been located," said Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Muhammad Ali.

“The Marines had arrived at the site late on Thursday to take part in a scheduled combat training exercise,” he said.

Search and rescue efforts involving the military, police and civilian volunteers have been hampered by hazardous conditions, prompting teams to periodically halt operations for safety reasons, officials said.

Indonesia is prone to landslides during the rainy season, which typically runs from November to March, due to its mountainous terrain, heavy rainfall, and widespread deforestation.