A devastating landslide struck two villages in West Bandung, Indonesia, in the early hours of Saturday, claiming at least eight lives and leaving more than 80 people missing, authorities said.

Triggered by heavy rainfall, the landslide buried residential areas, leaving families and communities reeling from the sudden disaster.

Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for Indonesia’s National Disaster Agency (BNPB), confirmed that dozens of residents were safe, while search and rescue teams continued to look for those still missing.

The local search efforts, supported by the military, police, and volunteers, have been complicated by unstable terrain and difficult conditions.

Drones, water pumps, and manual excavation are being employed to reach those trapped.

This tragedy follows a deadly pattern in Indonesia, where seasonal floods and landslides have claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands in recent years.

Experts have pointed to large-scale forest loss as a key factor, as forests naturally absorb rainfall and stabilize the soil, reducing the risk of such catastrophic events.

Environmentalists warn that unchecked deforestation, driven by mining, plantations, and fires, has left large areas highly vulnerable.

The Indonesian government has recently revoked permits for forestry, mining, and hydroelectric companies in a bid to curb further damage.

As communities grieve and rescue operations continue, the landslide serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of environmental degradation, climate change, and the urgent need for sustainable land management to protect lives.