The Jakarta Post, Sentani, Papua | Archipelago | Sat, January 04 2014, 5:14 PM
Three people have reportedly died in a landslide that struck a hilly area in Sentani, Jayapura regency on Saturday.
The three were dredging in the area when the landslide struck. The police had recovered one body and were searching for the two other victims, Antara news agency reported.
The landslide is said to have been sparked by days of heavy rains. The condition of the hillside was worsened by illegal dredging activities by residents looking for minerals, stones and sand.
Yusuf, a local resident, said he heard a loud noise when walking near the area. He discovered later that the area where the three men had been working had been covered with soil and rocks.