At least 12 people have died and 18 are missing after torrential rain caused a landslide in an illegal gold mine on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island over the weekend, officials reported on Monday.
The landslide occurred on Sunday morning in Sumawa district, Gorontalo province, killing miners and residents near the illegal mine, according to Heriyanto, the head of the local rescue agency.
Five survivors were evacuated, and a rescue team is searching for the 18 missing people. Heriyanto stated that 164 personnel, including the national rescue team, police, and military, have been deployed for the search. However, rescuers are facing challenges due to thick mud, ongoing rain, and the need to walk approximately 20 kilometers (12.43 miles) to reach the site. Heriyanto mentioned the potential use of an excavator once conditions permit.
Photos shared by the agency show flattened houses in the affected village. Indonesia’s disaster agency (BNPB) reported damage to several houses and one bridge. The BNPB has warned residents of continued rain in Gorontalo province on Monday and Tuesday, urging them to stay alert for potential further disasters.
This incident follows a series of deadly landslides and flash floods in Indonesia. In April, high-intensity rains caused a landslide in South Sulawesi, killing at least 18 people. In May, torrential rain triggered flash floods and mudslides in West Sumatra province, resulting in over 50 deaths.
