Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A landslide struck an illegal gold mine in Solok Regency, West Sumatra Province, on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. local time, killing 12 miners who were buried by the landslide.
The incident occurred in the Hiliran Gumanti District, specifically in Nagari Sungai Abu, a known site for illegal gold mining. It is estimated that 25 miners were working at the time of the landslide. As of Saturday, September 28, officials confirmed that two people were still missing, 12 people had died, and 11 survivors had been found.
The landslide was triggered by heavy rainfall in the area. The Solok Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that unstable soil conditions contributed to the disaster. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) explained that the removal of topsoil due to mining activities weakened the soil’s cohesion, increasing erosion risks, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
The lack of proper drainage systems in the illegal mining operation further exacerbated the situation, allowing water to pool and seep into the ground, accelerating erosion and increasing the likelihood of a landslide.
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Rescue efforts are still underway, with personnel from the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), supported by local residents, participating in the emergency operation. However, the search, rescue, and evacuation efforts have been hampered by the challenging terrain and the remote location, which is difficult to access by vehicle.
More than 100 personnel are involved in the operation, but the area can only be reached on foot after a four to six-hour trek, and there is no communication network in the vicinity of the landslide.
BPBD Solok is coordinating closely with other agencies, including Basarnas and TNI/Polri, to ensure the search and evacuation process proceeds as smoothly as possible. BPBD and volunteers are also providing logistical support for the SAR teams in the field.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has urged rescue personnel and local residents to remain vigilant, warning of the potential for further landslides. The Hiliran Gumanti District is still experiencing thunderstorms, with more rain forecast in the coming days.
(Raidi/Agung)
