Landslide in West Java Claims 23 Soldiers’ Lives, 42 Missing

West Java, Indonesia, 27 January 2026 — A devastating landslide in West Java has claimed the lives of 23 Indonesian soldiers, with at least 42 others reported missing, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The tragedy struck the village of Pasir Langu in Bandung Barat Regency during heavy rainfall that began a day earlier.

The village, situated approximately 100 kilometres southeast of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, lies in the mountainous region of West Java, which is prone to seasonal landslides and flooding.

According to a spokesperson for the Indonesian Navy, First Admiral Tungul, the soldiers of the Marine Corps were conducting training in preparation for patrol duties along the Indonesia–Papua New Guinea border when the landslide struck. Admiral Tungul stated,

“The landslide occurred amid heavy rain and treacherous weather conditions at the training site.”

Meanwhile, Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), reported that as of Tuesday afternoon, the death toll from the landslide stood between 17 and 20, while 42 people remained unaccounted for. It remains unclear whether all the fatalities announced by BNPB include the soldiers.

A massive rescue operation is underway at Pasir Langu, involving approximately 800 personnel, including military and police units, supported by nine excavators. The mission focuses on locating the missing and recovering those trapped under debris.

Authorities have evacuated 685 residents of Pasir Langu, temporarily housing them in local government facilities to ensure their safety.

The landslide coincides with Indonesia’s peak rainy season. Recent weeks have seen severe flooding across parts of West and Central Java, including the capital Jakarta, exacerbating the risk of landslides in mountainous areas. This disaster follows closely on the heels of last November’s catastrophic floods and landslides in Sumatra, which claimed 1,200 lives, destroyed countless homes, and displaced over one million people.

Key Facts: West Java Landslide

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with rescue teams working tirelessly to locate survivors and provide aid to displaced villagers. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of Indonesia’s mountainous regions during the monsoon season.