Indonesia: Landslides kill 7 in Sumatra Island

By Mahmut Atanur

JAKARTA (AA) - At least seven people were killed in landslides triggered by heavy rains in Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, according to the country's disaster management agency.

In a statement, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency, said the landslides struck a house, where seven people were living, in Sumatra's northern Sukamaju village.

Search and rescue teams continue operations to recover bodies from the debris.

Meanwhile, the authorities said people were being evacuated from the areas prone to landslides.

In Indonesia -- which is affected by monsoon rains and tropical climate -- floods and landslides often occur due to excessive rainfall throughout the year.