JAKARTA (Bernama) -- Nine suspected illegal gold miners were killed after a landslide struck a mining site in Koto VII district, Sijunjung regency, in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province.
West Sumatra Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Susmelawati Rosya said the incident occurred at about 12.30 pm local time on Thursday when 12 miners were working at the site.
"Fortunately, three mining workers managed to survive the landslide of debris. Meanwhile, the other nine were declared dead,” she said in Padang, according to Antara News Agency, on Friday.
Susmelawati said that according to information gathered by the police, a cliff located about 30 metres from the mining area was believed to have suddenly collapsed while the miners were working, burying the victims under soil and debris.
She said the victims were discovered gradually during search and evacuation efforts carried out by police officers and local residents on Thursday afternoon. The victims’ families immediately brought the bodies home for burial.
She said the West Sumatra Police and the provincial government had continued efforts to curb illegal mining activities through preventive measures, public advisories, educational campaigns, and enforcement operations.
"In this month alone, we also carried out large-scale operations in Sawahlunto, Solok, and Pasaman. We are making every effort, including seeking a permanent solution to this problem,” she said.
However, she acknowledged that illegal mining activities often resumed after enforcement operations ended. "Yes, this is the dilemma with illegal mining problems like this,” she said. -- BERNAMA
