Death toll in Indonesia's landslide climbs to 17

Rescuers have discovered seven more bodies, bringing the confirmed death toll in the landslide disaster in West Sumatra, Indonesia, to 17 people so far, local press reported Sunday.

At least eight others are believed to remain buried below the mud and rubble, the Jakarta Post daily quoted an official Edi as saying on Sunday.

Eight people are being treated in hospitals for injuries, whiledozens of survivors including children are taking refuge in a kindergarten building behind a search and rescue command post, said Edi.

The disaster hit the village of Lubuk Begalung after midnight on Friday when local residents were awaken by the thundering soundof mud and debris, which leveled eight homes and destroyed a cemetery.

The landslide came after two days of torrential rains and most victims were buried alive inside their homes, the official said.

Source: Xinhua