Indonesia floods kill 20, rescuers hunt for missing

Indonesian search and rescue teams worked on Wednesday to find victims of flash floods that killed 20 people and damaged hundreds of homes.

A view of the damage caused after the Cimanuk River overflowed from heavy rains in Garut, West Java, Indonesia, September 21, 2016, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Image: Reuters.
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A view of the damage caused after the Cimanuk River overflowed from heavy rains in Garut, West Java, Indonesia, September 21, 2016, in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Image: Reuters.

Indonesian search and rescue teams worked on Wednesday to find victims of flash floods that killed 20 people and damaged hundreds of homes, authorities said.

The floods hit the Garut area, about 200 km southeast of the capital, Jakarta, on Tuesday after torrential rain.

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Residents survey an area damaged by a flash flood in Garut, West Java, Indonesia September 21, 2016, in this photo taken by Antara Foto.

"We found 20 bodies and we've identified 15 of them," said Endah Trisnawati, a member of a police disaster victims identification unit.

It's still unknown how many people are missing, but officials in the area say the number could be around 15.

Some media reports claim 20 people are unaccounted for.

Authorities say search and rescue operations are ongoing.

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Two villagers stand next to an upturned car after a landslide in Garut on September 21, 2016. The death toll from a series of landslides and flash floods in Indonesia climbed to 19 on September 21, 2016.

Military personnel and volunteers are helping to evacuate about 1,000 residents from the area.

Debris can be seen floating in floodwater that had gradually receded in inundated villages.

There appeared to be widespread damage to vehicles and buildings.

Flash floods and landslides are common in Indonesia, often caused by heavy rain at this time of year.

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A villager mourns outside his house after a landslide in Garut, Indonesia on September 21, 2016.

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