Tragic Landslide Claims Lives of Quarry Workers in Indonesia

In a devastating incident at a quarry mine in Indonesia, ten workers have lost their lives, revealing ongoing issues related to unsafe mining practices and environmental hazards.

A tragic landslide at a quarry mine in West Java, Indonesia, resulted in the deaths of at least ten workers on Friday morning, according to Indonesia's national disaster management authority. The landslide occurred around 10 a.m. near the city of Cirebon, located approximately 135 miles east of Jakarta, the capital. Six other workers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment in local hospitals.

Footage aired by Kompas TV showcased the chaotic aftermath, with excavators tirelessly digging through the debris and officials meticulously searching for potential survivors beneath the steep slope. Search operations were suspended at approximately 5 p.m. due to concerning visibility and the heightened risk of additional landslides, as confirmed by Mukhammad Yusron, the area's military district commander, who indicated that rescue activities would recommence on Saturday.

Bambang Tirto Mulyono, who oversees the West Java department of energy and mineral resources, stated that the landslide stemmed from hazardous mining techniques. Specifically, he noted that the workers were extracting materials from the bottom of the hill rather than the top, a practice he emphasized posed significant dangers. “We have repeatedly warned the mining operators, underscoring the gravity of the situation,” he conveyed, adding that local police had cordoned off the site since February because the mining methods employed were below safety norms.

Seasonal rains in Indonesia, which typically occur from October to April, often lead to landslides, exacerbating the threats faced by the nation, which is prone to such disasters. Last month, another landslide claimed ten lives in Java, while in January, 25 individuals were killed in a similar event. Indonesia, home to a population exceeding 280 million and an archipelago of 17,500 islands, has seen considerable deforestation over the past five decades. This environmental destruction has been primarily driven by agricultural expansion, particularly for palm oil, leading to unstable soil conditions. In November, 24 people also lost their lives in an unauthorized mining site on Sulawesi island due to landslides.