Gold mine collapse caused by landslide in Indonesia’s Sumatra claims at least 15 lives
An unauthorized gold mine in Indonesia’s West Sumatra collapsed after a landslide triggered by heavy rains struck the region on Thursday, September 26, 2024. The collapse buried 25 people, of whom 15 died, seven remain missing and three were rescued.
Image credit: WION (stillshot)
A landslide triggered by heavy torrential rains caused an illegal goldmine to collapse in West Sumatra, claiming at least 15 lives, according to a local official on Friday, September 27. Seven people remain missing.
Police and military personnel started search and rescue operations early on Friday. According to Irfan Efendi, the head of the provincial disaster agency, around 25 people were buried, and three were rescued alive, though injured.
The illegal gold mine, located in the Solok district of West Sumatra, collapsed after a landslide on Thursday evening. Villagers were digging for gold when mud began to flow down from the surrounding hills.
Nagari Sungai village was the worst hit. Search and rescue operations were disrupted by mudslides, blackouts, and a lack of telecommunications in the region.
According to Ilham Wahab, the provincial disaster agency’s spokesperson, the affected region could only be reached after a four-hour walk, as roads were rendered inaccessible by the mudslides.
References:
1 15 killed after a landslide struck an illegal gold mine on Indonesia’s Sumatra island – AP – September 27, 2024
2 Indonesia gold mine collapses after landslide, killing 15 – Reuters – September 27, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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