Landslides Bury Miners

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Landslides hit Banjarpanepen Village, Sumpiuh, Banyumas, Central Java, Tuesday (17/11/2020).

Ten residents of Tasikmalaya, West Java, were buried by landslide while mining for gold in West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan. Three people were found dead during an ongoing evacuation.

PALANGKARAYA, KOMPAS — Ten traditional gold miners in the Seribu River area, Panggung subdistrict, Arut district, West Kotawaringin regency, Central Kalimantan, were trapped in a landslide that buried their 65-meter-deep mine pit. Three miners died in this tragedy, while seven others are still being searched for.

Head of North Arut district, Muhammad Ikhsan, explained that he, along with the joint team from the local police and the West Kotawaringin SAR agency, were still conducting the search. On Friday (20/11/2020), the team managed to find three bodies of miners trapped in the mine pit.

Also read: 11 People Killed in Landslides

"[Based on] information we got from their colleagues, there were 10 people who were trapped. We were a bit late in obtaining information about this incident because the location of the disaster was in an area where cellular phone connection was difficult,” said Muhammad when contacted from Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Residents cleaned their houses from the mudslides that hit Banjarpanepen Village, Sumpiuh, Banyumas, Central Java, Tuesday (17/11/2020).

Muhammad added that the landslide in the mine hole occurred on Wednesday (18/11) at around 8 p.m. However, officials and the district authority only received information about the incident on Thursday (19/11) afternoon. "On Thursday, we immediately contacted officers from various agencies and immediately went to the location to carry out the search," he said.

According to Muhammad, it took two to three hours to travel from the capital city of Arut district to the disaster site. He estimated that the victims had been trapped in the mine hole, which was buried by the landslides, for more than 24 hours.

Also read: Preparing Regions for Natural Disasters

Muhammad explained that there were actually 12 people who worked at the site. However, when the accident occurred, two people had not yet entered the mine hole.

"These two miners were the last to enter the mine hole. When they were about to enter the mine hole, [there was landslide and] it immediately closed [the hole] and they ran for safety," he said.

The area was prone to flooding and landslides because it was located by a river.

The rescuers needed time to recover the [dead] victim out of the hole because there was strong stream of water. The area was prone to flooding and landslides because it was located by a river.

Victims

Muhammad added that the 10 people buried were Tatan (30), Muharom (22), Yuda (24), Reza (20), Rana (21), Susan (25), Bayu (25), Dian (26), Mukadir (47) and Nurhayat (26).

They all come from Salopa village, Tasikmalaya regency, West Java. The three bodies found are still being identified.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

JThe bodies of landslide victims in Banjarpanepen Village, Sumpiuh, Banyumas, Central Java were buried in a grave, Wednesday (11/18/2020).

Head of the Central Kalimantan Police public relations division Sr. Comr. Hendra Rochmawan, said that dozens of police members who were part of the joint team were still evacuating at the mine pit. The 65-meter-deep mine pit was dug manually using simple equipment. The police also investigated the investors of the mine.

Meanwhile, in Cianjur, West Java, landslides in Caringin, Sukarame village, Sukanagara district, yesterday afternoon claimed one life. The dead victim was Bayu (27), a resident of Pamoyanan village, Cibinong district, Cianjur. Another resident, Adanda (19) was injured. (IDO/RTG)