Highlights

  • 11 killed in landslide triggered by rainstorm
  • Disaster struck as villagers entered illegal gold mine
  • Rescuers recover 11 bodies

Latest news

Dominique Pelicot sentenced to 20 years in landmark French mass rape case

Dominique Pelicot sentenced to 20 years in landmark French mass rape case

PM Modi speaks to King Charles, reaffirms India-UK strategic partnership

PM Modi speaks to King Charles, reaffirms India-UK strategic partnership

Omar Abdullah meets Amit Shah, discusses J&K's statehood restoration

Omar Abdullah meets Amit Shah, discusses J&K's statehood restoration

Unprecedented fracas on Parliament premises, 2 BJP MPs injured; NDA, Congress file police complaints

Unprecedented fracas on Parliament premises, 2 BJP MPs injured; NDA, Congress file police complaints

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Delhi Elections: MCD passes proposal to release Rs 25.35 crore for preparations

Delhi Elections: MCD passes proposal to release Rs 25.35 crore for preparations

Global stocks struggle amid inflation, economic fears: December 19, 2024 analysis

Global stocks struggle amid inflation, economic fears: December 19, 2024 analysis

11 dead, 19 missing in landslide at illegal gold mine in Indonesia

In a landslide triggered by rainstorm killed 11 people and left 19 missing at an illegal gold mining operation on Indonesia's Sulawesi island. 

11 dead, 19 missing in landslide at illegal gold mine in Indonesia

A landslide triggered by torrential rains crashed onto an unauthorised gold mining operation on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, killing at least 11 people, officials said Monday. Nineteen others were reported missing.

About 35 villagers were digging for grains of gold on Sunday in a pit at the small traditional gold mine in remote Bone Bolango district in Gorontalo province when tons of mud plunged down the surrounding hills and buried them, said Afifuddin Ilahude, Gorontalo's Search and Rescue Agency spokesperson.

He said rescuers saved five injured people on Sunday and had recovered 11 bodies by Monday. Rescuers are still searching for 19 others who were reported missing, he said.

“Relief efforts for the dead and missing were hampered by heavy rain and blocked roads covered with thick mud and debris,” Ilahude said. He said rescuers were having difficulty in evacuating three of the recovered bodies.

National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said torrential rains that have pounded the area since Saturday also broke an embankment, causing floods of up to 3 metres (10 feet) in five villages in Bone Bolango. Nearly 300 houses were affected and more than 1,000 people have fled for safety.

Informal mining operations are common in Indonesia, providing a tenuous livelihood to thousands who labour in conditions with a high risk of serious injury or death.

Landslides, flooding and collapses of tunnels are just some of the hazards facing miners. Much of gold ore processing involves highly toxic mercury and cyanide and workers frequently use little or no protection.

The country's last major mining-related accident occurred in April 2022 when a landslide crashed onto an illegal traditional gold mine in North Sumatra's Mandailing Natal district, killing 12 women who were looking for gold.

In February 2019, a makeshift wooden structure in an illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi province collapsed due to shifting soil and the large number of mining holes. More than 40 people were buried and died.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

11 dead, 19 missing in landslide at illegal gold mine in Indonesia

11 dead, 19 missing in landslide at illegal gold mine in Indonesia

Israel accused of 'acts of genocide', 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza

Israel accused of 'acts of genocide', 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Palestinians say six killed in Israeli West Bank operations

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pak from India to perform religious rituals at Katas Raj temples

Mysterious 'dinga dinga' illness causing body shaking affects 300 in Uganda

Mysterious 'dinga dinga' illness causing body shaking affects 300 in Uganda

Putin ready to meet Trump 'anytime' to talk Ukraine deal

Putin ready to meet Trump 'anytime' to talk Ukraine deal

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

UK PM Keir Starmer hosts Indian business chiefs to boost investments

UK PM Keir Starmer hosts Indian business chiefs to boost investments

Russia claims capture of two new villages in east Ukraine: agencies

Russia claims capture of two new villages in east Ukraine: agencies

US Govt urges Supreme Court to dismiss Mumbai terror accused Rana's petition for writ of certiorari

US Govt urges Supreme Court to dismiss Mumbai terror accused Rana's petition for writ of certiorari

Nuclear-armed Pakistan says fresh US sanctions 'biased'

Nuclear-armed Pakistan says fresh US sanctions 'biased'

New Zealand falls into recession with abrupt economic slowdown

New Zealand falls into recession with abrupt economic slowdown

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face extended stay on ISS

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face extended stay on ISS

'Satellite beams turned off over India': Musk rejects claim of Starlink misuse in Manipur

'Satellite beams turned off over India': Musk rejects claim of Starlink misuse in Manipur

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill at least 12 Palestinians

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill at least 12 Palestinians

Muhammad Yunus celebrates end of Sheikh Hasina’s ‘autocratic government’

Muhammad Yunus celebrates end of Sheikh Hasina’s ‘autocratic government’

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.