Flash floods have killed at least 15 children and left eight more missing in a remote, conflict-prone region of Indonesia’s Papua province, where ongoing violence is impeding urgent rescue operations.
The tragedy occurred last Saturday in Dal village, Nduga district. Heavy, continuous rain caused a river to overflow, sweeping away children aged 8 to 17 who were attempting to cross.
On the same day, eight more children disappeared in a nearby village. They were with their parents trying to cross a river when strong currents separated them from their families.
Local police chief Colonel Alfredo Agustinus Rumbia stated that only one body has been recovered so far from the initial incident. Rescue efforts face significant challenges due to the mountainous terrain and the area’s designation as a “red zone.”
This “red zone” status indicates a conflict area between the Indonesian military and Papuan separatists. This ongoing unrest severely complicates search and rescue operations for the missing children.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has issued a warning. It urges residents in various parts of Papua to prepare for more floods and heavy rainfall in the coming days.
Nduga district is a highly sensitive area known for its history of violence. It has experienced several violent incidents in recent years.
These include an attack in 2018 that killed dozens of bridge construction workers. In 2023, a New Zealand pilot was kidnapped in the area and held for over 19 months before his release.