Landslide kills 15 at illegal gold mine in Indonesia

Rescuers transferring a survivor into an ambulance after a landslide in West Sumatra Indonesia Sept 28 2024 AFP- Yonhap — Rescuers transfer a survivor into an ambulance after a landslide in West Sumatra, Indonesia, Sept. 28. 2024. AFP- Yonhap

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - A landslide triggered by heavy rains has claimed at least 15 lives and buried 25 others at an illegal gold mine on Indonesia's Sumatra island. The disaster occurred on Friday, in a remote area of West Sumatra province, according to news reports. Rescue efforts were initially hampered by blocked access roads to the remote mining site.

Indonesian rescue officials reported three additional injuries and confirmed that search operations for those buried are ongoing. The affected mine was an abandoned illegal operation, highlighting the prevalence of unlicensed mining activities in Indonesia's mineral-rich regions.

While landslides are common during Indonesia's typical rainy season from November to April, recent years have seen an increase in such incidents outside this period.

The tragedy follows a similar disaster in July, where about 20 people perished in a landslide near an illegal gold mine on Sulawesi island, underscoring the persistent risks associated with unauthorized mining operations in the country.

AJP