INDOPOSCO.ID – The Joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team has expanded the operational search area for victims of a landslide disaster in Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua, West Bandung Regency, West Java, as the SAR operation entered its ninth day.
Head of the Bandung SAR Office Ade Dian Permana said in Bandung on Sunday (Feb. 1, 2026) that today’s operation is focused on optimizing the search in priority sectors while prioritizing personnel safety and controlling the risk of secondary landslides.
“As the number of joint SAR elements increases, we have expanded the search area and concentrated all sectors to ensure the entire operational zone is covered as optimally as possible,” he said.
According to the data recorded so far, the total number of people affected by the disaster has reached 158. Of that number, 78 people survived, 70 victims have been evacuated in body bags, while 10 others are still believed to be buried under landslide debris.
He explained that prior to the search operation, the team conducted an assessment of the landslide conditions using UAV drones starting at 6:00 a.m. local time to map potential hazards, determine safe working areas, and establish emergency evacuation routes.
“Once an area is declared safe based on the safety officer’s assessment, we deploy 22 K-9 tracking dogs to search for potential victim locations across three search sectors,” he said.
The search operation officially began at 8:00 a.m., focusing on three operational sectors—Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie—using a combination of manual and technical search methods, as well as controlled and layered heavy equipment support in accordance with terrain conditions.
He added that the joint SAR operation has deployed 18 units of heavy equipment, consisting of various types ranging from PC 75 to PC 300, to support search and evacuation efforts.
“The optimization of heavy equipment usage is adjusted to field conditions and safety assessments to ensure effectiveness without compromising personnel safety,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
He further stated that the SAR operation involves 3,713 personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), local governments, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), relevant ministries and institutions, as well as volunteers.
The operation will continue in a measured and coordinated manner until all victims believed to be buried are found. (aro)
