At least 13 gold miners were caught in a gas poisoning accident on Tuesday afternoon at an illegal gold mine at Sekotong district in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Seven miners in the incident died from suspected asphyxiation, while six others underwent medical treatment in the nearest community health centers (Puskesmas).

“All of the victims are part of a group of illegal miners who used to scavenge abandoned gold mines in the area,” said NTB Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Komang Suartana.

The miners, he said, went into the illegal mine in Buwun Mas village on Monday evening.

During the mining, the victims noticed a burning smell from a hole in the mine, Komang said.

Meanwhile, families of the deceased miners had requested that the police bury the bodies without conducting an autopsy.

Buwun Mas village head Rohidi said the number of victims could rise due to information saying other miners had entered the mine. He said his administration had coordinated with the police and search and rescue teams to look for more trapped victims in the mine. (kuk/ipa)