Three gold miners suffocate

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)