Indonesia Gold Mine Collapse Claims 15 Lives

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in West Sumatra, Indonesia, has resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, Reuters reported yesterday.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening after heavy rains triggered the collapse, according to Irwan Efendi, head of the provincial disaster agency. Rescuers are currently searching for seven individuals who remain missing, while three others were reported injured.

Efendi noted that approximately 25 people were in the mine at the time of the disaster, primarily local residents engaged in manual gold mining. The remote location of the mine complicates rescue efforts, requiring an eight-hour trek for responders. Police and military personnel have initiated a search operation for the missing and are working to evacuate the deceased.