GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVALS: Massive Landslide In Central Java, Indonesia - 5 People Killed; 2 Others Missing!

Five killed in Indonesia landslide

February 8, 2016 - INDONESIA - Five bodies have been recovered and two other persons are still missing after a landslide hit Purworejo district of Central Java on Friday, rescuers said here Saturday.

Heavy downpours triggered the landslide at Penungkulan village of Gebang sub-district at around 20:00 p.m. Jakarta time, at least 2 houses being hit, said Marsudi, spokesman of the National Search and Rescue Office.

"A rescuer team from Central Java office along with soldiers, police and volunteers are searching for the missing now," he told Xinhua by phone.

The disaster also badly injured one villager and forced 75 others to take shelter at safer places, said Budi Harjono, operational head in disaster management agency in Purworejo district.

"Searching is under way now. We expect all the missing to be found soon," he told Xinhua from the scene at Penungkulan village.

Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency said over 250 personnel including those from local search and rescue office, local disaster management agency and Red Cross, as well as soldiers, police and volunteers, are involved in the search and rescue operation.

"But access to the scene is hampered by crowd insisting on seeing the accident ... Hence it disturbed vehicles to enter the area," he told Xinhua over phone on Saturday.

Landslide is frequent in Indonesia during heavy rain that often leaves scores of casualties and damage. - Xinhuanet.

GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVALS: Mysterious Landslides, Ground Shifting And DEEP FISSURES Appear In Bissarieh, Lebanon - Residents Live In A State Of Panic And Apprehension! [PHOTOS]

Road collapse after two large cracks mysteriously appeared in the village of Bissarieh in Lebanon. Photo: Daily Star Lebanon

February 5, 2016 - LEBANON - Residents of Bissarieh, Lebanon are currently living in a state of panic and apprehension after landslides, ground shifting and deep fissures are threatening their homes.

Unexplained cracks in the roads leading to the village have emerged.

Residents worry that some of the cracks threaten building foundations, leading to their sudden collapse.

And again, the cause of the damage is unknown.

Nothing similar has ever been witnessed in the region. Photo: Daily Star Lebanon

A state of emergency has been declared for the village and surrounding area. Photo: Daily Star Lebanon

Toward the center of the neighborhood a large crater has already destroyed part of one building.

This large fissure (or sinkhole?) is more than a 100 meters wide and several meters deep.

Two other fissures have destroyed the main road.

On either side of the fissures the earth has shifted, threatening the foundations of around 10 nearby buildings.

Cracks opened up in a loud noise that scared residents. Some hid in their closet at home. Many families have been evacuated.

Officials are now investigating the cause of this mysterious geological phenomenon.

Engineers suspect a sudden upwelling of subterranean springs resulting in a shift in the soil.

Families affected by landslides in the southern village of Bissarieh will immediately be given compensation to seek alternative shelter.

A state of emergency will probably be declared in the area. - Strange Sounds.