Illegal Gold Mine Collapses in Aceh Jaya, Three Dead

A tragic incident occurred in the PT TPP3 Astra palm oil plantation area, Crak Mong Village, Sampoiniet District, Aceh Jaya Regency. Three illegal gold miners were reported dead and four others were injured after being buried by a landslide on Tuesday (16/06/2026).

The Head of Criminal Investigation at Aceh Jaya Police, Inspector Julian Zairi, confirmed that the incident took place in an illegal gold mining pit managed manually by the community within the company’s Right to Cultivate (HGU) area.

“As a result of this event, three people have died and four others have been injured,” said Julian Zairi in his statement in Aceh Jaya.

According to police data, the three deceased victims were residents of Keude Krueng Sabee Village, Krueng Sabee District, Aceh Jaya Regency.

Meanwhile, the four injured victims are currently receiving medical treatment at the Teuku Umar Regional Hospital in Aceh Jaya. The seriously injured victims were identified as Edi and Tahun Najimi, residents of South Aceh Regency. The two lightly injured victims are Saiful and Zamil, residents of Krueng Sabee District.

Inspector Julian explained that the illegal mining activities had been ongoing for approximately six days before the disaster occurred. This happened despite the fact that PT TPP3 Astra had previously issued warnings and prohibited the community from conducting excavations at the location.

The police, through the Sampoiniet Police Sector, have also advised the company to install prohibition signs to prevent illegal excavation activities in the area.

Following this tragedy, PT TPP3 has conducted mediation with the Crak Mong Village Government. The company has provided a one-week deadline, from 16 to 22 June 2026, for residents to clear all equipment and completely cease all illegal excavation activities within the company’s HGU area.

Local police continue to monitor the situation on the ground to ensure there are no further unauthorised mining activities that risk threatening the lives of the local community.