Indonesian flash floods kill 34

2006-01-02 09:59

Jakarta - Flash floods swept away houses and schools in central Indonesia early on Monday, killing at least 34 people and injuring 16, said a government official, predicting the toll would rise.

Local media reports said as many as 31 people had died after heavy rains caused a landslide on a hill in Panti, a subdistrict of East Java province, inundating several villages.

"So far, we have received 22 bodies," said Burhanudin, a top official in Panti, who goes by only one name.

Sixteen others were hurt by rocks and flying debris, he said, adding that he was awaiting casualty reports from two other affected villages.

Heavy tropical downpours cause dozens of landslides and flash floods each year in Indonesia.

At least 14 houses and boarding schools were destroyed by the raging waters in Panti, which is about 900km east of Jakarta, said Burhanudin.

Rains had subsided by late Monday morning, he said.

- AP