Landslide in Kutai kills nine

JAKARTA (JP): Nine people died and three more were injured in a landslide at a traditional gold mine near the Babi River in Long Iram district, Kutai, East Kalimantan, on Tuesday.

Rescue workers continued their search on Wednesday for 30 people who are still missing.

"The rescue team is still working at the site and I haven't received further details about the victims," Kutai Police chief Lt. Col. Abdul Madjid R. said during a live interview with SCTV television station on Wednesday.

Witnesses said about 40 people were working in the mine when the landslide struck.

Abdul said the mud walls of the mine collapsed due to the unstable ground.

"We had difficulty reaching the site because the road was small, slippery and muddy," he said, adding that he also had difficulty communicating with rescue workers.

Antara quoted Abdul as saying that a team of police from the nearby city of Tenggarong had been dispatched to assist the rescue workers.

The police team was expected to arrive at the site on Wednesday afternoon.

The news agency reported the traditional mine was located next to the largest gold mine in the province, owned by PT Kelian Equatorial Mining.

The news agency also reported traditional mining had been barred at the site due to its negative impact on the environment.

"We're only trying to make a living," one of the miners, Siti, was quoted as saying by the news agency. (edt)