JAKARTA, Indonesia: A devastating landslide near an illegal gold mine on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people, with 19 more reported missing, officials said on Monday.
The landslide struck a remote village in the Bone Bolango district of Gorontalo province late Saturday, following torrential rains.
Illegal mines are widespread in Indonesia, where abandoned mining sites attract locals seeking leftover gold ore without proper safety measures. The disaster occurred after a period of heavy rain, which is unusual for the typically dry month of July.
Heriyanto, head of the local search and rescue agency, reported that eight bodies have been evacuated, with three others yet to be retrieved. Additionally, five injured survivors have been rescued, while 19 people remain missing. Rescue efforts are hampered by collapsed bridges and difficult terrain, requiring rescuers to travel on foot.
Approximately 180 individuals, including police officers and soldiers, have been deployed for the rescue operation. Indonesia frequently experiences landslides during the rainy season from November to April, making this incident particularly unexpected.
