8 miners killed, 3 missing in Indonesia landslide
Eight miners were killed and at least three more were missing following a landslide Monday on the slopes of a volcano on the Indonesian island of Java, officials said.
An avalanche of sand and rock cascaded down the slopes of Mount Merapi in Central Java about 10:00 am, burying a group of miners digging through the rocks and sand.
"The landslide happened suddenly and immediately buried the miners," disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement.
It was not raining when the incident occurred, but the almost vertical incline of the slope made it slip-prone, Nugroho said.
Another eight miners were injured in the accident and have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Rescuers were using heavy machinery to search for survivors, the local disaster mitigation agency said.
Mount Merapi, an active volcano near the city of Jogjakarta, is the site of widespread illegal sand mining. The high-quality volcanic sand is used to make cement.
Officials have repeatedly warned locals against mining in the area because of its sheer slope and recent heavy rainfall.
Landslides are common in Indonesia, especially during wet season between October and April, when rain lashes the country.
In November at least 11 people died in heavy flooding and landslides in Pacitan, East Java.
(Source: AFP)
Iran dismisses UK, Australia’s ‘baseless’ claims, urges end to interventions in West Asia
Islamophobic graffiti found in Sydney suburb sparks outrage
Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo calls for nuclear-free world
Dozens detained, several wounded in Israeli raids in West Bank
‘Ethnic cleansing’: Hamas blasts Israeli attacks on Gaza hospital amid intl. silence
Saudi delegation meets HTS leader at presidential palace in Damascus
Relentless Israeli ceasefire violations justify need for self-defense: Lebanese MP
Tel Aviv tells Damascus Israeli forces will remain in occupied territory: Report
Dec. 22: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
‘Abhorrent’: Oxfam says only 12 trucks delivered aid in North Gaza since Oct.
VIDEO | Leader receives religious eulogists on Hazrat Fatima birth anniv.
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
