Three gold miners suffocate

PURWAKARTA, West Java: Three gold miners have died, reportedly of suffocation, in a traditional gold mine in Tajursinang village, Jatiluhur, Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency quoted police as saying that Beben, 25, Rasidi, 49, and his son Nono, 18, went into the six-meter deep cave Tuesday night.

Beben, initially accompanied by another miner called Yanto, entered the cave without using a blower to clear the air. He then slipped and plunged into a hole.

Yanto rushed home to ask his father, Rasidi, and his brother, Nono, for help. The two men disappeared into the cave and failed to reemerge. Rescue workers eventually evacuated their bodies.

"We suspect the three died of suffocation," said a police officer in the Purwakarta police precinct.

The mining office of the regency disclaimed any knowledge of mining activities in the village. "We never issued any recommendation or permits for gold mining there. The activity was illegal," said Triharyadi, a spokesman of the office.

Residents said miners often came from areas outside the regency. (swe)