Disaster Strikes in West Sumatra
A devastating landslide at a gold mine in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province has left at least 15 people dead and 25 others missing. The landslide occurred Thursday evening following heavy rains in the remote area of Sumatra Island, according to the provincial disaster mitigation agency.
Ongoing Search for Survivors
The rescue operation is in full swing as authorities race against time to locate the missing individuals. Ilham Wahab, a spokesperson for the disaster agency, confirmed that three people have been injured. However, rescue efforts are being slowed by the challenging terrain and the site’s remote location. Rescuers, including police, soldiers, and local civilians, must trek for hours from the nearest village to reach the disaster zone.
Unregulated Mining Raises Concerns
Unlicensed mining operations are common in Indonesia, where mineral-rich sites attract locals searching for leftover gold. It remains unclear whether the gold mine involved in this incident was illegal, but all activities at the site have been suspended while the search continues.
Seasonal Landslides a Growing Threat
Indonesia, particularly prone to landslides during its rainy season from November to April, has witnessed several recent disasters. In July, 27 people died in a landslide near an illegal mine on Sulawesi Island, while May saw 15 fatalities due to landslides and flooding in South Sulawesi province.
Rescue efforts remain ongoing as hopes for finding more survivors dwindle amid challenging conditions.
(With inputs from agencies)
