21 bodies uncovered after flash flood in Aceh

PIDIE. A search and rescue (SAR) team accompanied by local volunteers in Aceh have uncovered 21 bodies who fell victim to a flash flood affecting Tangse district, Pidie regency on Thursday night.

A volunteer identified as Zulfikar told Saturday that the bodies were found scattered in four villages. He said the search was still being carried out while waiting for additional support from the government.

The biggest obstacle for the search, Zulfikar said, was access to villages, particularly to Rantau Panjang village, because a bridge that serves as the main access point had been cut off due to heavy damage to its construction foundation.

Makmur Ibrahim, a spokesperson for the Aceh government, said Governor Irwandi Yusuf and related government departments, accompanied by more volunteers, were on their way to the affected areas to distribute resources.

“We have deployed help and medicine to areas affected by the flood,” Makmur said. (The Jakarta Post)