Heavy rain has unleashed nature’s fury in Indonesia’s rugged easternmost region of Papua, leaving a trail of tragedy in its wake. A devastating landslide struck a small-scale gold mine nestled within the remote Arfak mountains of West Papua, trapping dozens of miners and claiming at least one life. As rescue teams race against time amid treacherous terrain and worsening weather, the fate of 19 missing individuals hangs in the balance.
Late Friday, torrential downpour destabilized the mountainside, causing debris to cascade down onto the miners’ makeshift shelters. The disaster has so far injured four others and left 19 still unaccounted for. Authorities have mobilized a team of over 40 rescue personnel including police and military forces, who began their search efforts only on Sunday, after enduring a grueling 12-hour journey into the isolated area.
Yefri Sabaruddin, head of the local rescue operation, described the harrowing conditions hampering their efforts. “The damaged roads, mountainous tracks, and relentless weather have significantly slowed our rescue operations,” he said. “The number of casualties could rise as we continue our search.”
Indonesia’s history with small-scale and illegal mining casts a long shadow over incidents like this. The country’s mineral-rich but remote regions are often plagued by accidents, with regulation and safety measures frequently overlooked. Last September, at least 15 people perished in a landslide at an illegal gold mine in West Sumatra. Just months earlier, in July, another landslide on Sulawesi claimed at least 23 lives.
As rescue operations continue, hopes remain fragile amid the perilous conditions. The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by miners working in Indonesia’s often hazardous, unregulated extractive industries
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