At least three dead and dozens buried alive in Indonesia gold mine collapse

At least three dead and dozens buried alive in Indonesia gold mine collapse

So far 15 people have been rescued Pic: National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure

As many as 60 people are believed to have been buried alive after a landslide at an illegal gold mine in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province.

So far there have been three confirmed deaths and 15 people have been rescued.

Rescuers have reported hearing voices from inside the makeshift mine shafts that have been cut into the hillside.

Indonesia's disaster agency (IDA) said dozens of people were mining when when beams and support boards broke suddenly.

Image: Rescuers say they can hear voices from inside the mine Pic: National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure

Those trying to reach the trapped miners are being hampered by the treacherous terrain and having to use picks and spades rather than heavy machinery for fear of causing another landslide.

Advertisement

The IDA's Abdul Muin Paputungan said: ""We are able to detect that many of them are still alive because we can hear their voices, as there are some places where air is getting in and out and there are gaps in the mud."

Image: Rescue workers are using hand tools because of the fear of another landslide Pic: National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure

He added that families of those missing had begun to gather at the site of the accident.

The Indonesian government has banned small-scale gold mining, but there is little control, particularly in remote areas and they are prone to accidents.</s>JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian authorities say dozens of people are believed buried by a landslide in an unlicensed North Sulawesi gold mine.</s>JAKARTA: Indonesia's disaster agency said on Wednesday (Feb 27) rescuers were searching for survivors after more than 60 people were feared buried by the collapse of an illegal gold mine on the island of Sulawesi province.

The agency said in a statement one person had been found dead and 13 people rescued by 5am on Wednesday after the collapse the previous evening at the site in Bolaang Mongondow area of north Sulawesi.

"When dozens of people were mining for gold at the location, suddenly beams and supporting boards they used broke due to unstable land and numerous mining shafts," disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.</s>At least 60 people are feared to have been buried by a landslide at an illegal Indonesian gold mine.

Rescuers are searching for survivors at the site, in the Bolaang Mongondow area, on the island of Sulawesi.

Indonesia's disaster agency said one person had been found dead and at least 13 rescued by 0500 on Wednesday (2200 GMT Tuesday).

A spokesman said supporting beams gave way at the mine "due to unstable land and numerous mining shafts".

"It is estimated that as many as 60 people are buried under landslide and rock material," the agency said.

Images from the scene showed rescue teams and local people working through the night to carry survivors off a mud-covered hillside.

Small-scale gold mining is banned in Indonesia, but remains widespread in rural areas. Lack of regulation and the poor construction of makeshift mines means accidents are relatively frequent.

Campaigners have long argued that a lack of local employment opportunities meant people felt forced to rely on illegal mining.</s>JAKARTA (REUTERS, AFP) - Indonesia's disaster agency said on Wednesday (Feb 27) rescuers were searching for survivors after more than 60 people were feared buried by the collapse of an illegal gold mine on the island of Sulawesi province.

The agency said in a statement one person had been found dead and 13 people rescued by 5am on Wednesday after the collapse the previous evening at the site in Bolaang Mongondow area of North Sulawesi.

"When dozens of people were mining for gold at the location, suddenly beams and supporting boards they used broke due to unstable land and numerous mining shafts," disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

“It is estimated that as many as 60 people are buried under the landslide and rock debris.”

It was not immediately clear what condition the trapped miners were in.

The country has numerous unlicensed gold mining sites that have few if any regulated safety standards.</s>JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian authorities say dozens of people are believed buried by a landslide at an unlicensed gold mine in North Sulawesi province.

The national disaster agency said Wednesday that one person is confirmed dead and at least 13 injured.

Its statement said, “It is estimated that as many as 60 people are buried under landslide and rock material.”

The agency said the mine collapsed on Tuesday evening due to unstable soil and the large number of mining holes.</s>Indonesia’s disaster agency said on Wednesday rescuers were searching for survivors after more than 60 people were feared buried by the collapse of an illegal gold mine on the island of Sulawesi.

The agency said in a statement one person had been found dead and 13 people rescued by 5 am on Wednesday (2200 GMT Tuesday) after the collapse the previous evening at the site in the Bolaang Mongondow area of North Sulawesi province.

“When dozens of people were mining for gold at the location, suddenly beams and supporting boards they used broke due to unstable land and numerous mining shafts,” disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

Photos released by the agency showed rescue workers and villagers on a muddy hillside at night scrambling to pull out survivors and carry them away on stretchers.

“Evacuation efforts continued through the night because of the number of people estimated to be buried,” Nugroho said.

The central government has banned such small-scale gold mining, although regional authorities often turn a blind eye to the practice in more remote areas. With little regulation, the mines are prone to accidents.</s>In Indonesia, 60 people have been buried following a landslide at an unlicensed gold mine in North Sulawesi province. The national disaster agency said, one person is confirmed dead and at least 13 injured. The mine collapsed last evening due to unstable soil and a large number of mining holes. The rescue operation is underway.</s>Indonesia landslide: Dozens buried alive after the collapse of an illegal Sulawesi gold mine

Indonesia's disaster agency says rescuers are searching for survivors after more than 60 people were feared buried by the collapse of an illegal gold mine on the island of Sulawesi.

The agency said that one person had been found dead and 13 people had been rescued so far after the mine's collapse the previous night in the Bolaang Mongondow area of North Sulawesi.

"When dozens of people were mining for gold at the location, suddenly beams and supporting boards they used broke due to unstable land and numerous mining shafts," disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

Photos released by the agency showed rescue workers and villagers on a muddy hillside at night scrambling to pull out survivors and carry them away on stretchers.

"Evacuation efforts continued through the night because of the number of people estimated to be buried," Mr Nugroho said.

Landslides triggered by heavy rains and floods are common in parts of Indonesia during the rainy season.

The national disaster agency previously estimated thatr around half the country's population of 250 million lives in areas prone to slippages.

The vast Indonesian archipelago is prone to natural disasters and is frequently hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.</s>The authorities also confirmed at least one person has died following the landslide in the North Sulawesi province. The national disaster agency said that another 13 people were injured at the goldmine. Disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said: "When dozens of people were mining for gold at the location, suddenly beams and supporting boards they used broke due to unstable land and numerous mining shafts."

China and Indonesia to CLASH as tensions over South China Sea ESCALATE

Mr Nugroho also said: "It is estimated that as many as 60 people are buried under landslide and rock material at the location of the people's mining area.

"There are still dozens of victims trapped in the rubble of mine excavation hole."

He also confirmed that rescue workers had worked through the night due to the large number of victims believed to be still alive under the rubble.

Multiple rescue agencies are on the scene as well as the Indonesian army and police.
A landslide hits an illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi, Sulawesi, Indonesia. An estimated 60 people are trapped underground as shafts give way, while three others are found dead.