Over 40 dead, 7 missing in Indonesia flash floods

At least 44 people are dead and seven missing after flash floods and landslides swept an island in southern Indonesia on Sunday morning, with the death toll expected to rise, rescue officials said.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Raditya Jati said the casualties are spread across three villages in the East Nusa Tenggara province. The agency is still updating data from the field.

"At least 38 people died in Lamanele Village, 3 people died in Waiburak Village, 3 people died in Oyang Village. A total of 44 people died, 7 were missing," Jati said in a statement on Sunday.

Mud rolled down from surrounding hills shortly after midnight and struck nearly 50 houses in the village of Lamenele on Flores Island.

The agency said the floods were due to heavy rains in East Flores over the last several hours.