In brief
Rescue teams in West Java, Indonesia, have reported that a landslide at a quarry mine killed at least 10 quarry workers on Friday morning. The incident took place near Cirebon, approximately 135 miles east of Jakarta. Injuries were also reported, with six individuals currently receiving treatment. As darkness fell and the threat of additional landslides loomed, operations were paused by authorities, who plan to resume efforts the following day.
The head of the local energy and mineral resources department indicated that the tragic event stemmed from improper mining practices, specifically the decision to excavate from the bottom of the hill upward, rather than following safer protocols. Warnings had been issued to the mining operator regarding these unsafe methods, and the site had previously been cordoned off by local police due to hazardous conditions. These landslides have become a frequent threat in Indonesia during the rainy season, leading to multiple fatalities in recent months. Factors such as deforestation and unregulated mining have increased soil instability, contributing to these dangerous occurrences. The government faces challenges in managing these risks in the face of ongoing development demands across the country.
