Indonesia gold mine tragedy: At least 15 dead, dozens feared trapped in Sumatran landslide

At least 15 people have tragically lost their lives, with scores more feared buried, following a landslide at an unauthorised gold mining site on the island of Sumatra.

The disaster occurred in the remote Solok district, where villagers were engaged in illegal gold mining, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The surrounding hills gave way, sending a torrent of thick mud over the miners. Irwan Effendoi, head of the local disaster mitigation agency, confirmed the death toll and stated that at least 25 individuals remain buried beneath the debris.

Rescue operations are underway, and three survivors have been pulled from the mud, though all sustained injuries. Efforts are continuing in the hope of finding more survivors.

This marks the latest in a string of landslides to hit Indonesia in 2024, a country frequently plagued by such disasters. Earlier this year, two major landslides occurred in Sumatra alone. 

In May, flash floods triggered deadly mudslides, claiming the lives of 43 people in mountainside villages, while two months prior, heavy rainfall caused floods and landslides in West Sumatra, leaving 26 dead and 11 missing.

In April, a landslide on the central island of Sulawesi killed at least 14 people, with three more reported missing. 

Indonesia, with its mountainous terrain and tropical climate, remains vulnerable to frequent landslides, particularly during the rainy season.

By Aghakazim Guliyev