At least 15 people died in the collapse of an illegal gold mine in Indonesia's province of West Sumatra, following a landslide caused by heavy rains, an official said on Friday, while rescuers are scrambling to locate seven missing.
Small-scale and illegal mining has often caused accidents in Indonesia, where mineral resources are located in remote areas in conditions difficult for authorities to regulate, Reuters reported.
The illegal gold mine in the district of Solok collapsed after a landslide on Thursday evening due to heavy rain, said Irwan Efendi, the head of the provincial disaster agency.
Rescuers must trek eight hours to get to the site, which is inaccessible by road, Irwan told Reuters, adding, "The victims are the residents who manually mine for gold."
He estimated there were probably 25 people in the mine at the time of the incident, of whom 15 died, while three were injured and seven are missing.
Police and military launched a search early on Friday for the missing, along with steps to evacuate the dead.
Indonesia Gold Mine Collapses after Landslide, 15 Dead
A general view shows large rocks, debris and mud left after a landslide on the highway on the way from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca, in the aftermath of Hurricane John, Oaxaca state, Mexico September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata
Indonesia Gold Mine Collapses after Landslide, 15 Dead
A general view shows large rocks, debris and mud left after a landslide on the highway on the way from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca, in the aftermath of Hurricane John, Oaxaca state, Mexico September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Jorge Luis Plata
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