Hundreds of rescuers were searching through thick mud and debris to find survivors Wednesday after a rain-triggered landslide in Indonesia killed at least 17 people and left nine missing.

The search and rescue operation that was hampered by bad weather, mudslides and rugged terrain was halted Tuesday afternoon due to heavy rain and thick fog that made devastated areas along the rivers dangerous to rescuers.

Surabaya bureau A devastating landslide triggered by heavy rainfall has claimed at least 17 lives in Central Java, Indonesia, with nine others still missing, according to disaster officials, AFP has reported.

The heavy rains caused rivers to overflow on the main island of Java, flooding nine villages and sending mud, rocks, and debris cascading down the mountainsides.

In December, 10 people were killed in flash floods that hit hilly villages on the country’s main island of Java. In the previous month, flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra province killed at least 29 people.

At least 16 people have died and 10 others have been injured after a landslide struck Indonesia’s Central Java province, government officials confirmed on Tuesday. Heavy rains triggered the disaster in the city of Pekalongan, where authorities are racing to locate three people still missing.

A landslide triggered by heavy rain on Indonesia's main island of Java has killed at least 16 people with three others missing, disaster officials said Tuesday.