On Tuesday, July 9th, a devastating landslide at an illegal gold mine in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island claimed at least 23 lives, with dozens more still missing. The landslide, triggered by torrential rains, buried makeshift mining camps in the remote village of Bone Bolango. Rescue efforts have been hampered by continuous heavy rain, unstable soil, and rugged terrain, but more than 270 rescuers, including police and military personnel, have been deployed to search for survivors.
National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari explained that the rains caused a landslide and broke an embankment, leading to floods that submerged homes in five villages. Nearly 300 houses were affected, and over 1,000 people were forced to flee for safety. “The miners felt a vibration, and then, within a matter of seconds, the area was buried. It all happened so fast, not even tens of seconds,” said Muhari.
The unauthorized mine had attracted hundreds of villagers, who were digging for leftover gold ore without proper safety equipment. Afifuddin Ilahude, a local rescue official, noted that 66 people had survived the landslide. “With many missing and some remote areas still unreachable, the death toll is likely to rise,” he said, adding that sniffer dogs were being mobilized to aid the search.
Survivors described harrowing experiences. Nopri, a miner, recounted spending eight hours buried under debris before being rescued. “When we tried to get out, dirt fell back again,” he said. “So we were resigned, we just waited for help.”
Illegal mining operations are common in Indonesia, often providing a precarious livelihood for locals. These operations are fraught with risks, including landslides, flooding, and tunnel collapses. The processing of gold ore frequently involves the use of highly toxic mercury and cyanide, with workers often lacking adequate protection.
Indonesia has a history of mining-related accidents. In April 2022, a landslide at an illegal gold mine in North Sumatra killed 12 women. Seasonal monsoon rains, intensified by climate change, contribute to the frequency of such disasters.
The Indonesian government has deployed more resources to aid the rescue and recovery operations. President Joko Widodo expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged government support for the affected communities. As search efforts continue, authorities hope to find more survivors amidst the devastation.
