A landslide at a gold mine in western Indonesia has claimed at least 15 lives and left 25 people missing, according to a local disaster management official on Friday.
“Based on the information we have gathered on-site, 15 individuals have died, while 25 others are still unaccounted for, and three have sustained injuries,” stated Ilham Wahab, spokesperson for the disaster management agency in West Sumatra province.
The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, occurred on Thursday evening at a remote location in West Sumatra province on the island of Sumatra, Wahab added.
He was unable to confirm whether the mine was operating illegally but noted that all activities at the site had been suspended as search efforts for the missing individuals continued.
Illegal mines, often operated without permits, are prevalent in this mineral-rich archipelago of Southeast Asia, where abandoned sites lure locals searching for traces of gold ore without proper safety equipment.
Rescue operations are being hindered by the site’s remote location. Rescuers, including police, soldiers, and civilians, must trek for hours from the nearest village to reach the area, Wahab explained further.
Indonesia frequently experiences landslides during the rainy season, which typically lasts from November to April.
