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Search for 14 Missing Miners in Papua Suspended Due to Torrential Rains

Six miners confirmed dead and four injured after a rain-triggered landslide at a small-scale gold mine in Indonesia’s remote Arfak Mountains.

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Overview

  • Heavy rains on May 16 caused a landslide at a small-scale gold mine in Indonesia's West Papua province, killing six miners and injuring four.
  • Rescue efforts, involving a 40-member team of police, military, and local personnel, have been hindered by damaged roads, mountainous terrain, and ongoing severe weather.
  • Authorities suspended the search for 14 missing miners on May 19 due to worsening conditions and plan to resume operations on May 20.
  • The landslide destroyed temporary shelters used by miners, highlighting the risks of unregulated mining in remote, weather-prone areas.
  • Indonesia's history of deadly accidents at small-scale and illegal mining sites underscores the challenges of regulating these operations in isolated regions.