The death toll from a rockfall at a limestone quarry in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 18 on Sunday, with seven others still missing and feared dead, according to local military officials.
The collapse occurred Friday morning at a legal mining site in Cirebon, when a mass of rock gave way, burying workers and heavy machinery. At least 12 others were injured in the incident.
“Today, we recovered one more body, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 18. Seven others remain missing, and we suspect they have not survived,” said local military commander Mukhammad Yusron.
Search efforts using excavators and sniffer dogs have been hampered by unstable rock formations, posing risks to rescue teams. “There have been additional rockfalls during the operation. We must prioritize rescuers’ safety,” Yusron added.
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi said the company operating the site was licensed but lacked adequate safety standards. “I have ordered the permanent shutdown of the company,” he said.
This is the second collapse at the site, following a smaller incident in February that caused no casualties.
Mining accidents remain common in Indonesia, particularly at illegal or poorly regulated sites. In July 2023, a landslide near an unlicensed gold mine in Sulawesi killed at least 23 people, with 35 reported missing. Earlier that year, eight workers died in another illegal mine in Central Java.
AFP
