20-7-2023 (JAKARTA) A public cemetery (TPU) in Padang, West Sumatra, was hit by a landslide, resulting in damaged graves and bodies being dislodged.
“It is true that some bodies of residents were carried away by the landslide. We cannot confirm the exact number yet. However, our team is currently at the scene,” said South Padang Police Chief AKP Nanang Irawadi to detikSumut on Friday (July 14, 2023).
The process of evacuating the bodies carried away by the landslide is being carried out by the police, with assistance from local residents and relevant agencies. The landslide occurred due to heavy rainfall in the area.
“The landslide was widespread, near the gravesite. It is highly likely that many bodies were carried away by the landslide. The body evacuation is also facing a manpower shortage, as the National Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and other agencies are also assisting with flood evacuations,” he added.
Local Resident Hears Rumbling Sound
A resident near the TPU location, Afriani (39), said she first saw the scattered bodies at around 7:00 AM WIB. Prior to that, Afriani heard a rumbling sound from the TPU area.
“This morning, when I was going downstairs to buy something, I saw bodies scattered around. There were a total of five bodies,” said Afriani when interviewed by detikSumut on Friday (July 15).
Afriani, who witnessed the damaged condition of the cemetery due to the landslide, immediately informed other residents. Subsequently, the information was passed on to the groups that manage the TPU, namely Kaum Pandam Koto Anau and Kaum Pandan Ikatan Keluarga Pesisir Selatan.
“Since the landslide occurred, I also informed the families who have graves here. Families came in large numbers to evacuate the scattered bodies,” she said.
“For now, 13 bodies have been successfully evacuated. We estimate that there are still dozens of bodies that have not been successfully evacuated here,” she continued.
Bodies Reburied
After receiving the information, the two groups that own the TPU arrived at the scene. Several bodies that were dislodged were reburied.
Febri Ardios (57), from the Ikatan Kaum Pandam Koto Anau, said that the 13 bodies that were successfully evacuated have been reburied in 2 graves. The intact bodies were buried together in one grave, while the other grave was used for the bodies that were no longer intact.
“A total of 13 bodies were evacuated today, with 2 of them intact. We buried the 2 intact bodies together in one grave. The remaining 11 bodies that were not intact were also buried together, as per our mutual agreement,” he explained.
