Jakarta: A devastating landslide at an illegal gold mine in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island has resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people, with 18 others still missing.
The incident occurred in Sumawa district, Gorontalo province, on Sunday morning, claiming the lives of miners and nearby residents. The head of the local rescue agency, Heriyanto, has reported that five survivors have been rescued, and efforts are currently underway to locate the missing individuals.
A team of 164 personnel, including national rescue teams, police, and military, has been deployed for the search and rescue operation. However, the rescue efforts are being hampered by the challenging 20-kilometre trek to reach the landslide site, exacerbated by thick mud and ongoing rainfall in the area. The deployment of excavators is planned as soon as conditions allow.
Photos from the scene shared by the agency show flattened houses in the affected village. Indonesia’s disaster agency reported damage to several homes and a bridge due to the landslide. Residents in Gorontalo province have been cautioned about continued rain expected on Monday and Tuesday, with the need for heightened vigilance against potential further disasters.
In a related incident, torrential rains triggered flash floods and mudslides in West Sumatra province in May, resulting in over 50 fatalities, while a landslide in South Sulawesi claimed 18 lives in April during high-intensity rainfall.
