1st LD Writethru: 3 killed, 15 feared dead in landslides in eastern Indonesia

Rescuers evacuated three bodies and were searching for 15 others buried under mud and rock after landslides hit Indonesia's eastern Bengkulu province of Sumatra island on Thursday, a spokesman of the national disaster management agency said.

Heavy downpours triggered the landslides at 1:45 a.m. Jakarta time at Karang Sulu village of North Bengkulu district and hit the huts where 18 farmers stayed, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

"The huts were buried by the mud, rocks and trees as high as five meters," Sutopo told Xinhua by phone.

Three bodies have been recovered, and other 15 remains buried, he said.

As many as 21 huts were hit and buried, Sutopo added.

The roads to the landslides area were blocked, he said.

Soldiers and those from local disaster agency as well as volunteers are conducting emergency relief works, Sutopo added.

Landslide and flood are frequent in Indonesia particularly at the wet season. Endit