Twenty-Five Miners Evacuated from W Sumatra’s Gold Mining Pit, 13 Dead

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) reported that 25 miners were evacuated from a collapsed illegal gold mining pit in West Sumatra, with 13 confirmed dead and 12 survivors. The landslide occurred on Thursday in Sungai Abu Village, Hiliran Gumanti Subdistrict, Solok District.

The latest fatality, identified as Sugeng, was recovered along with survivor Zulmadinir. The evacuees have been taken to M. Natsir Public Hospital for medical evaluations. Basarnas plans to continue search and rescue operations, coordinating with local governments and agencies, while maintaining personnel at the command post for reports of missing persons.

Indonesia has a history of deadly mining accidents, both legal and illegal, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the sector

Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) confirmed that 25 miners were evacuated from an illegal gold mining pit in West Sumatra following a landslide. Tragically, 13 of the miners have been reported dead, while 12 survived the incident, which occurred in Sungai Abu Village, Hiliran Gumanti Subdistrict, Solok District, on Thursday.

The most recent fatality recovered was identified as Sugeng. Survivors, including Zulmadinir, were transported to M. Natsir Public Hospital for medical checks.

Search and rescue operations began on Friday and will continue, with Basarnas coordinating efforts with local authorities and agencies. Personnel will remain at the command post to gather reports of any missing persons.

This incident adds to Indonesia’s troubling history of mining accidents, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety regulations in both authorized and unauthorized mining operations.