Jakarta: Rescue teams in Indonesia have launched a search for 19 people missing after a landslide struck a small gold mine in Papua Province, eastern Indonesia, following two days of heavy rainfall. Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure said that heavy rains caused a landslide at a small mine operated by local residents in the Arfak Mountains of West Papua Province. The Agency added that the landslide last Friday hit temporary shelters used by miners, killing at least one person.

According to Oman News Agency, the search operation involves multiple agencies and local volunteers who are working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals. The challenging terrain and ongoing rainfall are complicating rescue efforts, making it difficult for teams to access the affected area. The Agency has warned of potential further landslides due to the unstable conditions in the region.

Authorities have been urging local communities to stay alert and evacuate areas at risk of additional landslides. The in
cident has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by small-scale mining operations in Indonesia, particularly those in remote and weather-prone areas. Rescue operations are expected to continue as weather conditions permit, with hopes of finding survivors.