At least 10 people have lost their lives, and six more are still missing after a quarry collapse in Indonesia. This tragic event occurred on Friday in a natural stone quarry located in the Cirebon district of West Java province. Local officials reported that many workers were trapped under the rubble when the quarry gave way.
Rescue teams have successfully retrieved the bodies of 10 individuals, according to Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s national disaster management agency. More than a dozen others were rescued from the debris, with six suffering serious injuries and requiring hospital treatment.
Search efforts faced significant challenges due to unstable soil conditions that posed a risk of further collapses. As a result, operations were temporarily halted on Friday evening because of poor visibility. However, rescuers are set to resume their search early Saturday, utilizing excavators and trucks to clear the site in hopes of finding the six missing workers.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the collapse. Local police chief Sumarni mentioned that they are questioning the quarry’s owner and workers about the incident. West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi stated that he had previously visited the mine and recognized its risk of collapse but lacked the authority to intervene at that time. Following the disaster, he has closed the collapsed quarry and four other similar sites deemed hazardous.
This incident highlights the dangers associated with illegal or informal mining operations in Indonesia, where workers often face life-threatening risks from landslides, flooding, and hazardous working conditions. Last year, a landslide at an unauthorized gold mining operation on Sumatra island resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people.
As the search continues, the community is left mourning the loss of lives and hoping for the safe return of those still unaccounted for.