A landslide caused by heavy rains has tragically hit an illegal gold mine in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, resulting in at least 11 deaths and leaving 45 people missing.
Incident Overview
A catastrophic landslide occurred on Sunday in the remote Bone Bolango district of Gorontalo province on Sulawesi island, Indonesia, following days of torrential rain. This disaster struck an illegal gold mining site, resulting in the death of at least 11 individuals, including miners and local residents. The slide has left 45 others unaccounted for, according to Heriyanto, head of the local rescue agency Basarnas.
The landslide happened when heavy rains caused tons of mud to collapse onto a pit where approximately 79 villagers were searching for gold. The incident highlights the dangers associated with illegal mining operations in the mineral-rich region.
Rescue Efforts
A coordinated rescue operation involving 164 personnel from the national rescue team, police, and military has been launched to search for survivors. Rescuers are faced with significant challenges, including the need to traverse approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) of thick mud-covered roads to reach the landslide site. Continuous rainfall has further complicated their efforts.
“We are attempting to use an excavator as soon as conditions allow,” Heriyanto noted, emphasizing the difficulties posed by the terrain and weather.
Rescue teams have so far managed to pull 23 people from the debris alive, including six who were injured. The bodies of 11 victims, among them two women and a four-year-old boy, have been recovered.
Broader Impact
The heavy rains not only triggered the landslide but also caused a nearby embankment to break, leading to severe flooding in the Bone Bolango district. Five villages have been inundated, with floodwaters reaching up to three meters (10 feet) in some areas. Nearly 300 homes have been affected, forcing over 1,000 residents to evacuate to safer locations, as reported by Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency.
The agency has issued warnings of continued rain in parts of Gorontalo province and advised residents to remain vigilant.
Context and Precedents
Illegal mining is widespread in Indonesia, with many locals turning to abandoned mining sites to hunt for gold. These operations often lack proper safety measures, exposing workers to significant hazards, including landslides, flooding, and tunnel collapses. The use of toxic substances such as mercury and cyanide for gold extraction without adequate protection further compounds the risks.
Despite the seasonal norm of the dry period from November to April, heavy rains have been reported, which is unusual for July. This anomaly underscores the unpredictable weather patterns affecting the region.
In April 2022, a similar landslide in North Sumatra’s Mandailing Natal district killed 12 women at an illegal gold mining site. Another tragic event in February 2019 saw over 40 people buried when a makeshift structure at an illegal mine in North Sulawesi province collapsed.
Continuing Search and Safety Concerns
Rescue operations are ongoing, with hopes of finding more survivors amidst the challenging conditions. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils associated with illegal mining activities and the urgent need for improved safety regulations and enforcement in Indonesia’s mining sector.
