Illegal mining - Dozens missing after landslide at Indonesian gold mine
At an illegal goldmine in Indonesia, rescue teams are searching for dozens of missing workers. Seventeen workers have been recovered dead after a landslide, forty-five more are still missing, said Haji Asmar, chief of the local rescue teams in the province of Gorontalo. Over fifty men have been found alive.
The workers' camp at the mine on the island of Sulawesi was buried under tons of mud and debris on Saturday due to a landslide. Heavy rainfall preceded the incident.
Mines without safety standards
The heavy rain also frequently obstructed the rescue efforts. "The weather and terrain conditions are the biggest obstacles in the search," said a spokesperson for the rescue teams.
Illegal gold mining is widespread in Indonesia, where poor people take great risks to extract valuable mineral deposits. The mines often lack any safety standards, resulting in frequent fatal accidents.
The operational force mobilized from Jakarta faced challenges due to the landslide and the subsequent emergency at the gold mine in Sulawesi. Despite the difficult terrain and heavy rain, they continued their efforts to locate the remaining missing workers. The lack of safety standards in Indonesia's mining sector, including this gold mine, has been a recurring concern, as it often contributes to tragic incidents. The unfortunate incident at the gold mine in Gorontalo serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with illegal mining activities.
