Rescue Team Searching for Missing Flash Flood Victims in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, KOMPAS.com - A joint rescue team of the National Defence Forces (TNI) and Police and some volunteers are still searching for missing flash flood victims in Tangse River, Aceh Province.

Hundreds of TNI and police personnel, volunteers of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), National Association for Amateur Radio (RAPI), and Non-Governmental Organizations are involved in the evacuation and rescue of flash flood victims, spokesperson of Pidie District administration Sayuti said here Tuesday.

One of the victims was found in Tangse River and rescued by the team, Sayuti said, adding that two others were also reported missing and the rescue team were still searching for them. So far, ten people had been found dead after the flash flood hit Pidie District, located 170 kilometer from Banda Aceh, last Thursday.

The casualties included residents of Rantoe Panyang Village, Samsul Bahri (40), Hasbi Usman (40), Pang Itam (60), M Yasir (11), Safrina (8), Fahrul Khaidir (8); residents of Blang Dalam Villages, A Gani Usman (60), Darmiati A Gani (20), and Rumaidah.

They were found in a river of Teunom Sub-district, Aceh Jaya. Another victim was found in Krueng Tangse on Monday evening (March 14) and identified as Hendra (20).