Indonesia disaster toll rises to 961 as National Disaster Management Authority reports new victims found
BNPB reported 961 deaths following floods and landslides in three provinces in Sumatra, with missing persons declining as searches continue. Basarnas later issued a higher figure due to differing data sources.
- BNPB reported 961 deaths across Aceh, Sumatra Utara and Sumatra Barat as of Monday afternoon, following the discovery of 40 additional victims.
- The number of missing persons recorded by BNPB has declined to 293 as search operations intensify.
- Basarnas reported a higher figure of 974 deaths on Monday morning, reflecting differences in data sources and verification stages.
National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) recorded 961 deaths across Aceh, Sumatra Utara and Sumatra Barat as of the afternoon of 8 December 2025. The update followed the discovery of 40 additional bodies by joint teams conducting searches in affected areas.
Abdul Muhari, Head of Disaster Data, Information and Communication at BNPB, said Aceh accounted for the largest number of new findings. The province’s death toll rose from 366 to 389 after 23 more victims were identified.
Sumatra Utara added nine victims, bringing its total to 338. In Sumatra Barat, eight additional bodies were recovered, raising the number of fatalities there to 234.
According to BNPB’s cumulative geoportal data, the combined death toll across the three provinces reached 961 by Monday afternoon. This total reflects verified submissions from provincial and district emergency command posts.
BNPB also reported a decrease in the number of missing persons. The figure fell from 392 the previous day to 293 across the three provinces.
Muhari said search efforts remain intensive and involve National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), BNPB, the armed forces, police, community groups and volunteers. He added that the teams are working to reduce the number of missing persons as far as possible.
BNPB noted that casualty numbers remain dynamic. Some individuals initially listed as missing were later found alive in other locations.
Later in the day, Basarnas released its own figures, recording 974 deaths as of 08:00 on 8 December 2025. The update was delivered by Basarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii during a meeting with Commission V of the House of Representatives.
Basarnas also reported 298 people missing, along with 10,957 evacuees and 9,983 survivors. Syafii said differences between Basarnas and BNPB data were expected due to differing sources and verification processes.
He explained that Basarnas compiles information from Search and Rescue Mission Coordinators in Aceh, Medan, Nias and Padang. He expressed confidence that the figures would eventually converge after final reconciliation.
BNPB’s geoportal data continues to show the evolving nature of reporting in the aftermath of the disaster. Further updates are expected as teams reach remote areas and complete identification processes.
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