Flash flood kills in least 6 Indonesian pupils on camping trip
22 February, 2020
At least six persons were killed and five even more missing whenever a flash flood hit the Sleman regency of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, where junior students were on a camping trip.
Agus Wibowo, spokesman at the National Disaster Mitigation Firm (BNPB) said on a statement that rescuers found two more bodies on the Sempor River in which a flash flood occurred on Friday (Feb 21) afternoon.
This came after four bodies were retrieved from the river previously Friday.
The two bodies were taken to a nearby hospital, Mr Wibowo said, adding that they have not been identified.
Mr Wibowo said the six students were taking part in a good camping trip organised by their university, Public Junior High School Number 1 1, located nearby the picture of the incident.
The camping trip involved trekking along the river, the BNPB spokesman said, adding that 250 students participated in the case.
“As they were trekking the water recent suddenly intensified and the drinking water volume increased as a result of the flash flood,” he said.
Mr Wibowo said 239 pupils survived the incident.
According to the BNPB spokesman, 180 rescuers are trying to find the five missing pupils.
“(Rescuers) happen to be combing the river’s edge to consider the missing student even though it is definitely drizzling,” Mr Wibowo said.
Locals told several Indonesian press that the school hadn't informed hometown authorities of the experience, making them unacquainted with flash flooding through the rainy season.
“I then found out about the camping trip when locals told me that there were children who got washed from the flood,” local village chief Mr Tartono told Indonesian reports portal Detik.
"It's been raining in the upstream area and although it doesn’t rain in this article there is a great threat of flash flood.
Source: