Search and rescue workers have evacuated 18 dead bodies after rain triggered landslides in Palopo, South Sulawesi on Sunday morning.

Lt. Col. Dede Indra, commander of local military district, told Antara state news agency Tuesday that eight people were still missing and were feared dead.

Dede also said that rescue teams were still working to evacuate villagers who were still isolated in the mountainous area.

Separately, South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo said that the provincial administrattion had deployed heavy machinery and medical help in the disaster.

The landslides occurred after a three-hour torrential downpour drenched the area early on Sunday. Most of the badly hit places were located on deforested mountain slopes.