Indonesian resort flood kills 75

Rescuers were today desperately searching for survivors after flash floods swept through a resort village on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least 75 people.

With nearly 100 people missing, the death toll is expected to rise.

Days of heavy rain triggered a surge on night in the Bahorok River, which winds through the village of Bukit Lawang. Dozens of inns and restaurants that line its banks were destroyed by the torrent of water, mud and logs.

Officials blamed the flood on illegal logging in the jungles above the once picturesque town of 2,500, which has long drawn backpackers from across the world to its orang-utan reserve.

Poor coordination among rescuers meant that casualty figures, including those missing, remain confusing.

Five foreigners were listed among the dead today: Two Germans, a Singaporean and two Austrians. Earlier reports said an Australian was also killed, but officials in Canberra disputed that.

Huge branches and boulders lay tumbled across the town. Despite the devastation, officials said the several dozen orang-utans in the reserve, located a mile up the valley from the river, appeared unaffected by the disaster.