102 People Died in Aceh Disaster, Potentially a Rise in Death Toll

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Hundreds of people have died due to natural disasters in Aceh as of Sunday (30/11/2025) evening. The number is even expected to continue to rise. Currently, several areas remain isolated.

Based on data from the Aceh Government through the Aceh Hydrometeorological Disaster Emergency Response Command Post until Sunday at 20:30 WIB, the number of fatalities in Aceh has reached 102 individuals. In addition, 116 people are reported missing, 326 individuals are seriously injured, and 1,286 people have sustained minor injuries.

The impact of the disaster in Aceh has caused 62,141 families (KK) or 292,806 individuals to be displaced from a total of 104,901 families or 526,098 individuals in 1,652 villages across 224 sub-districts in 18 affected districts/cities. The refugees are spread across 403 locations.

The spokesperson for the Aceh Hydrometeorological Disaster Emergency Response Post, Murthalamuddin, stated that the data on the number of disaster victims in Aceh is very dynamic. "The figures are likely to continue to increase in line with the expansion of search and rescue operations conducted by the joint team," he said.

Murthalamuddin does not deny that the search and rescue operation has not reached all affected areas. The reason is that there are impacted regions that remain isolated due to disrupted land transportation access and telecommunications networks.

"Currently, not all affected areas can be accessed because the roads and bridges to and from those areas are still cut off," he said.

The data was collected from all field officers and hospitals. Murthalamuddin stated that this data also serves to refute the hoax circulating on social media that the number of fatalities due to the Aceh disaster reached 400 individuals.

"I can assure you that this information is not true, aka fake news," he said.

Regardless of that, Murthalamuddin stated that the figure indicates that the impact of the Aceh disaster is very serious. "Therefore, the government continues to strive to strengthen evacuation efforts, healthcare services, and the provision of logistical assistance," he said.

The government continues to strive to strengthen evacuation efforts, health services, and the provision of logistical assistance.

Besides causing casualties, the Aceh disaster has destroyed a number of infrastructure facilities, both those belonging to the community and those for public services.

At least 49,822 residential units have suffered light to severe damage. The plight of the community is exacerbated by the loss of 18 livestock, as well as the destruction of 138,447 hectares of rice fields and approximately 12,000 hectares of plantation areas.

The public facilities affected include 275 points of road closures and 146 units of damaged bridges. In addition, 46 places of worship, 157 school buildings, 132 office buildings, and two Islamic boarding schools have sustained light to severe damage.

"The recovery of damaged infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges, has become a serious concern for the government as it hampers the emergency response process in affected areas. Currently, a joint team is continuously working to urgently restore access at several locations that have been cut off," said Murthalamuddin.

Meanwhile, the Aceh Regional Secretary M Nasir stated that the water pooling in most affected areas has begun to recede. The current challenge is the sediment of mud that still covers the affected regions.

Cleaning up the remaining flood material requires additional efforts. "The cleanup process is ongoing to expedite the evacuation process," he said.

Regarding the distribution of logistical assistance, Nasir continued, his party ensures that aid has begun to be delivered by air and sea. Air distribution is carried out to reach mountainous and remote areas that are still isolated, such as Central Aceh and Aceh Tamiang.

Distribution via sea is carried out to reach the eastern coastal areas that are still isolated, including Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, East Aceh, Langsa, and Aceh Tamiang.

"Several regions have received assistance that has been distributed via air and sea. The distribution process will continue to be carried out sustainably," said Nasir.

Nasir emphasized that during the 14-day disaster emergency response period, all relevant parties are committed to ensuring that all emergency needs of the community are met, ranging from the evacuation process, provision of basic necessities, to the restoration of transportation and telecommunications connectivity.

"During the state of emergency, we strive to ensure that all members of the community are healthy, safe, and do not lack anything. The distribution of logistical assistance and health services will also be ensured to truly reach the affected residents," emphasized Nasir.