The death toll from a devastating landslide on Indonesia's Sulawesi island has tragically climbed to 18, with several individuals still unaccounted for, according to a report by Reuters. The landslide, triggered by heavy rains, struck Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi province on Saturday evening (April 13) local time, leaving two villages in its wake.

The affected areas have been engulfed in mud, complicating rescue efforts as many individuals remain buried under rubble. Rescue operations are underway despite the challenges posed by uprooted trees and difficult terrain.

Sulawesi Island, situated approximately 300 kilometers from Makassar, the provincial capital, is renowned for its mountainous landscapes. The recent landslide has once again highlighted the vulnerability of communities in such regions to natural disasters.

This incident comes just weeks after floods and landslides claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals on the Indonesian island of Sumatra in March. The destructive forces of heavy rains ravaged homes and displaced thousands, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by environmental hazards in the region.