JAKARTA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Heavy downpours on Sunday forced rescuers to halt search and rescue operation for the victims of Saturday's landslides in western Indonesia, disaster agency official said.
A total of three bodies have been recovered and 26 others remain missing, according to Marsudi, spokesman of national search and rescue office.
Nearly 1,700 soldiers, rescuers from search and rescue offices, personnel from disaster agency and volunteers, terminated their mission earlier for fear of the repeat of landslide in the scene, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of national disaster agency told Xinhua via phone.
No telecommunication access to the affected-area in Banarfan village of Pionorogo district and poor transport access have become others obstacles for the search and rescue mission, said Sutopo.
But, seven machinery equipment have reached the scene and some others are on their way to the area, he added.
About 300 people have fled home following the landslides, the spokesman said.
