At least 15 people killed as landslide hits illegal gold mine

World

At least 15 people have been killed, with dozens still buried under thick mud after a landslide hit an unauthorised gold mining operation on the island of Sumatra, officials said.

Villagers were digging for gold in the remote Solok district on Sumatra – one of Indonesia’s western islands – when disaster struck.

Mud plunged down the surrounding hills and buried them, Irwan Effendoi, head of the local disaster mitigation agency office, said.

He said at least 25 people were still buried.

Three people were pulled out alive with injuries by rescuers.


Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Several major landslides have already hit Indonesia this year, killing dozens, including two such incidents in Sumatra.

At least 43 people were killed when flash flooding led to mudslides and a deluge of cold lava through mountainside villages on the island in May.

More on Indonesia

Two months earlier, heavy rains triggered flash floods and a landslide in West Sumatra, killing at least 26 people and leaving 11 others missing.

Meanwhile, in April, at least 14 people died and three were reported missing after landslides on the central island of Sulawesi.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Articles You May Like

Block reports revenue miss but a slight beat on earnings
Civility at the White House as Trump sends Washington into an evening tailspin
Reeves to create pension ‘mega funds’ to invest in infrastructure
SpaceX’s Dragon to Reboost ISS for First Time, Paving Way for Future Deorbit Mission
Kate joins other senior royals at Festival of Remembrance