Landslide kills one in Balikpapan

A worker was killed in a landslide that hit Prapatan Dalam subdistrict in the East Kalimantan city of Balikpapan, on Tuesday.

The landslide buried Yudi, 29, who was digging a hole under a steep slope in the densely populated subdistrict.

Geologist Suta Vijaya said local residents were warned the area was dangerous, but refused to move to safer places.

He added a number of areas in Balikpapan were prone to landslides and asked the local government to exercise prudence in issuing building permits there.

A landslide occurred in Prapatan Dalam in 2007, claiming five lives.