The death toll from a catastrophic landslide at an illegal gold mine on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island has climbed to 23, with 35 people still missing, officials confirmed Tuesday. Rescue teams continue to battle challenging terrain and heavy rainfall in a race against time.
The disaster struck Bone Bolango regency in Gorontalo province late Saturday, burying a remote village under mounds of earth as families slept. 💔 Torrential rains likely triggered the collapse, highlighting the deadly risks of unregulated mining operations.
🌧️ Why it matters: Indonesia’s mineral-rich lands have long attracted informal miners seeking fortune, but lax safety standards turn these sites into death traps. Local authorities estimate thousands operate in hazardous conditions nationwide, often using bare hands and makeshift tools to extract gold.
One rescue worker told agencies: \"Every hour counts – we’re using everything from shovels to drones to locate survivors.\" The operation has been complicated by damaged roads and ongoing landslides.
This tragedy underscores Southeast Asia’s struggle with informal mining – a high-risk gamble where economic desperation meets environmental vulnerability. As climate change intensifies rainfall patterns, experts warn such disasters could become more frequent.
