Heavy rains in Indonesia triggered a devastating landslide at an illegal gold mine on Sulawesi island, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 11 lives. The incident occurred in the Bone Bolango district of Gorontalo province, where 79 villagers were engaged in unauthorized mining activities when tons of mud cascaded down the hills, burying their makeshift camps.
Rescue efforts have managed to save 23 individuals, with six sustaining injuries, while 11 bodies, including two women and a 4-year-old boy, have been recovered. Regrettably, 45 individuals remain unaccounted for, as the challenging conditions, including heavy rain and blocked roads, have impeded relief operations.
The torrential rains that have been lashing the region since Saturday also led to the breaching of an embankment, causing floods of up to 10 feet in five villages in Bone Bolango. This natural disaster has affected nearly 300 houses, prompting over 1,000 people to evacuate to safer locations.
Informal mining activities are prevalent in Indonesia, offering a precarious source of income for many individuals who work under perilous conditions with a heightened risk of accidents. Miners face various hazards such as landslides, flooding, and tunnel collapses, compounded by the use of toxic substances like mercury and cyanide in gold ore processing, often without adequate protective measures.
This unfortunate event is not an isolated incident, as Indonesia has witnessed previous mining-related tragedies. In April 2022, a landslide struck an illegal traditional gold mine in North Sumatra, claiming the lives of 12 women. Similarly, in February 2019, over 40 individuals lost their lives when a makeshift structure in an illegal gold mine in North Sulawesi collapsed due to unstable soil conditions and extensive mining activities.
