4 killed in Indonesia landfill collapse

At least five more are reported missing Read more at straitstimes.com.

JAKARTA – A landslide on Indonesia’s biggest landfill buried trucks and food stalls, killing four people, rescuers said on March 9 as they searched for at least five more reported missing.

The landslide struck at 2.30pm (3.30pm Singapore time) on March 8 at Bantargebang, a landfill just 25km outside the capital, according to the national search and rescue agency.

“The rescuers are opening access using heavy equipment like backhoes and deploying tracking dogs to search for any indication of victims,” the agency said in a statement.

The collapse took place after hours of heavy rain in the area, local media reported.

Jakarta and its satellite cities, collectively known as Jabodetabek, are home to about 42 million people and generate an estimated 14,000 tonnes of waste daily.

Bantargebang, one of the world’s largest open landfills, sprawls over more than 110 hectares and holds about 55 million tonnes of trash, according to a local environment agency official.