11 buried in landslides in western Indonesia

At least 11 people were buried as landslides struck East Java province in western Indonesia and a rescue operation was underway, China's Xinhua news agency reported an official from the disaster agency as saying.

The landslides, trigger by heavy downpours, occurred in the hill in Banaran village of Ponorogo district and destroyed 25 to 30 houses, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster management agency, told Xinhua via phone.

Soldiers, policemen, personnel from the local disaster office as well as volunteers were involved in the search and rescue operation, he added.

Access to the scene was very difficult which had hampered the rescue operation, Sutopo said.

Heavy machinery equipment was badly needed, the official added.

-- BERNAMA