Jakarta. Massive flashflood and landslide triggered by overnight rain have killed at least 54 people on an eastern Indonesian island early on Sunday, with authorities saying a lot more islanders are still unaccounted for.
The disaster hit Adonara Island in East Flores District, East Nusa Tenggara, at around 1.00 a.m., a local official said on Sunday evening,
"As of Sunday afternoon, we have pulled 54 bodies. The search and rescue works are still ongoing,” deputy district head Agustinus Payong Boli was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.
Several villages were affected by the disaster following torrential rain and wind storm on the island throughout the night, he added.
The flood swept away trees and large rocks that destroyed homes as it went through villages, he said.
Tens of houses in Nele Lamadiken village were flattened by the massive flashflood, the agency reported.
