Search Suspended for Missing Miners After Deadly Landslide in Indonesia’s Papua Region
Torrential rains and rugged terrain have forced rescuers in eastern Indonesia to suspend their search for 14 gold miners still missing after a deadly landslide struck a remote mining area in West Papua province, Al Jazeera reports.
The landslide, triggered by heavy rains late Friday near a small, community-run mine in the Arfak Mountains, swept away temporary shelters housing local miners. According to Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management, at least six people were killed and four others injured in the disaster.
“The floodwaters from upstream hit a temporary housing area of traditional gold miners at around 9:00 p.m. local time,” agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement. He added that flash flooding accompanied the landslide, further complicating rescue operations.
Search and rescue efforts have been significantly hindered by damaged roads, mountainous terrain, and ongoing bad weather, said Yefri Sabaruddin, who is leading a 40-member rescue team that includes police and military personnel. He noted that it takes 12 hours to reach the affected area from the nearest town.
Authorities say they plan to resume the search on Tuesday if conditions improve.
While the legal status of the mine has not been officially confirmed, unlicensed and informal mining operations are widespread in Indonesia, particularly in remote, mineral-rich regions. Locals often work these abandoned or unofficial sites without proper safety measures, increasing the risk of deadly accidents.
“These are typically small-scale operations where people search for leftover gold ore,” said Sabaruddin. “Our current priority is to evacuate the victims.”
Indonesia is prone to landslides, especially during the November-to-April rainy season. Similar tragedies have occurred in recent months. In September, 13 people were killed in a landslide at an illegal gold mine in West Sumatra, and in July, at least 27 people died in a similar disaster in Sulawesi.
