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View all search resultsLandslide at illegal gold mine in Riau kills one
The fatal incident in Kuantan Singingi is the latest in a series of deadly accidents linked to illegal gold mining in recent weeks.
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Rescuers recover bodies after hours of heavy rain triggered flooding and a landslide near a gold mine in a remote area near Manokwari, West Papua, in this handout photo taken and released on May 19, 2025, by the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS). (AFP/Basarnas)
A
landslide at an illegal gold mine in Riau killed a man on Friday, underscoring the ongoing dangers of unregulated mining as deadly accidents continue to occur across the country.
Authorities said the incident occurred at around 3 p.m. in Kuantan Tengah district, Kuantan Singingi regency.
The victim, identified only as PA, was operating a rammer compactor, a construction machine used to compact soil, sand and gravel, when a nearby cliff suddenly collapsed, burying him under tonnes of earth and debris.
Two of PA’s colleagues immediately alerted local residents and police. His body was recovered later that night following a two-hour search and rescue operation.
Head of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Kuantan Singingi Police, Second Insp. Lukman, said investigators had carried out a crime scene examination and questioned several witnesses in connection with the incident.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the rammer compactor belonged to the victim, and the land used for the illegal gold mining operation is owned by the victim’s parents,” Lukman said on Sunday.
Kuantan Singingi Police chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Hidayat Perdana expressed regret over the fatal accident, noting that police had repeatedly warned the public about the dangers of illegal gold mining.
