Batu-Mojokerto Route Landslide Claims 10 Lives, More Victims Estimated

BATU, KOMPAS—The joint SAR team has discovered 10 fatalities due to a landslide on the Batu-Mojokerto connecting route in East Java as of Friday (4/4/2025) afternoon. All the victims have been evacuated. It is still possible that more victims remain buried.

As reported, a landslide occurred on the Cangar-Pacet route, which connects Batu City with Mojokerto Regency in East Java, on Thursday afternoon (3/4/2025). The landslide blocked the road and buried several passing vehicles.

Head of Emergency and Logistics Division of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of East Java Province, Satriyo Nurseno, stated that nine victims had been evacuated from the debris as of 11:00 AM today. One fatality had previously been discovered on Thursday afternoon.

Anton, from the Taruna Siaga Bencana Kota Batu, stated that out of the nine victims, six were evacuated from the Innova, "One of them was a toddler." Meanwhile, the other three victims were evacuated from the Grand Max.

The SAR team suspects that there are still victims buried under the landslide. "Is it certain that there are no more victims there? It is possible that the search is still ongoing because yesterday a motorcycle mirror was found, which suggests there may still be victims at the location," said Anton.

During the evacuation, the team not only dug through the landslide debris using water spray equipment but also cut fallen tree branches with chainsaws and metal cutting tools. Once the vehicle wreckage was visible, the team pulled the wreckage using ropes to evacuate the victims.

It is possible that the search is still being carried out because yesterday a motorbike mirror was found, it is possible that there are still victims at the location.

Batu Police Chief, Senior Commissioner Andi Yudha Pranata, said that his party helped the identification process by deploying a Dokpol team from the Bhayangkara Hasta Brata Hospital. The evacuation process was carried out from two sides, namely Mojokerto and Batu.

"So we will make Hasta Brata a shelter first for victims who have been successfully evacuated. If it is easier to access via Batu, they will be taken to Batu first," he said.

In addition to preparing an ambulance, according to Andi, his party is also preparing the identification process, cleaning the bodies, and others until delivery to the victim's family. His party also continues to coordinate with the Mojokerto Police to speed up the evacuation process.

So far, Andi said, no family members of the victims have reported to the Batu Police regarding the loss of family members in the disaster.

Previously, one victim had been found and successfully evacuated. The victim, Majid Zatmo Setio (31), a resident of Sukodono, Sidoarjo Regency, was found in a gray Innova minibus (not black as previously reported).

Apart from Zatmo, Rani Anggraini (28), Wahyudi (71), Jainah (61), Sauda (70), Syahrul Nugroho RS (6), and Putri Qiana Ramadhani (2) were also identified. These victims were in the Innova car and had addresses in Suruh Village, Sukodono District, Sidoarjo Regency, East Java.

Meanwhile, in the white pickup truck (Grand Max), Fitria Handayani (30), Ahmad Fiki Muzaki8 (30) and Mikaila FZ (3) were identified. They live in Jatijejer Village, Trawas District, Mojokerto Regency, East Java.

Head of the Surabaya SAR Office as the mission coordinator, Nanang Sigit P, stated that his party deployed one team from the Malang SAR standby unit and one team from the Surabaya SAR Office.

The search and rescue process also involved a number of other elements, such as the Regional Disaster Management Agency of East Java Province, Mojokerto Regency and Batu City; public works departments in related areas; the Indonesian Red Cross; volunteers; TNI/Polri; Raden Soerjo Forest Park (Tahura); and other SAR elements.

Meanwhile, the Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) of Tahura Raden Soerjo closed four tourist locations in the area after the landslide. The four tourist locations are Cangar hot springs, Coban Watu Ondo, Coban Watu Lumpang, and the Putung Sewu Panorama Tour.

The closure of the tourist location is stated in Announcement Letter Number 522/303/123.7.2/2025 signed by the Head of UPT Tahura R Soerjo, Ahmad Wahyudi. According to Wahyudi, the temporary closure was carried out due to extreme weather, heavy rain, and potential landslides along the Pacet-Cangar Highway.