JAKARTA, (TDI): A landslide at a gold mine in West Sumatra has killed at least 15 people, with dozens of others still missing, according to the local disaster mitigation agency.
The landslide occurred on Thursday evening, triggered by heavy rains at the remote site.
Ilham Wahab, spokesperson for the provincial disaster agency, reported that search and rescue efforts are ongoing, though challenging terrain and the site’s isolated location are complicating operations.
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In addition to the confirmed deaths, three people were injured, and 25 others remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams, comprising police officers, soldiers, and civilians, have been trekking for hours from the nearest village to reach the affected area.
The status of the mine’s legality is uncertain, but all operations have been suspended as the search continues.
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Landslides are frequent in Indonesia during the rainy season, which runs from November to April. Many unlicensed mines in the region lack adequate safety measures, drawing locals in search of leftover gold ore.
The incident follows several others in recent months, including a July landslide near an illegal mine in Sulawesi that claimed 27 lives, and another in May in South Sulawesi that resulted in 15 deaths due to floods and landslides.
