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Police identify 67 victims of Cisarua landslide, 25 still unidentified

Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) – The West Java Regional Police's Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team has identified 67 bodies from the Cisarua landslide in West Bandung District.West Java Regional Police Public Relations Chief, Senior Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan, informed that the DVI post at the search location has received 92 body bags from the joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team.”On this 12th day of the search, we have successfully identified 67 bodies, leaving 25 unidentified,” he remarked on Wednesday.He explained that the DVI team is continuing the identification process for unconfirmed bodies through data reconciliation.He conveyed that most of the bodies found had been at the location for more than six days, making identification difficult.”The condition of the bodies, which were more than six days old, caused decomposition and tissue changes, making it a challenge to the identification process,” he explained.”Next, we will conduct reconciliation activities related to the existing identification process for the remaining bodies, comparing post-mortem and ante-mortem data,” Rochmawan continued.He hopes the number of identified victims will increase as the forensic team continues its data matching process.”Based on reports, the number of missing persons is updated daily. We will provide services until the entire process is complete,” he ensured.Furthermore, his team has also deployed a Tracking Dog Detachment (Den K9 SAR) to expedite the search for landslide victims in areas with high difficulty levels.”We are deploying all our resources maximally, quickly, and measurably to ensure the search for victims can be carried out effectively, while also ensuring that the information provided to the public is accurate and accountable,” he remarked.According to Rochmawan, the K9 unit is expected to assist the joint team in detecting victims buried under landslide material, especially in areas difficult for heavy equipment to reach.He explained that although the weather sometimes improves, ongoing rainfall continues to present obstacles for the joint SAR operation.