Indonesian rescue workers and volunteers have completely halted their rescue efforts for those that are still trapped because of last week's mine collapse in Sulawesi. Since the mine had collapsed, 27 people have been confirmed dead with possibly dozens more still trapped. According to Indonesian authorities, the rescue efforts had been halted as the ground conditions in the area have completely deteriorated.
Rescuers reportedly still wanted to continue the search, but they were told by geological experts that the ground conditions were now too dangerous to continue. Excavators and other heavy machinery could no longer operate in the mine as the ground has apparently become too unstable. According to the local disaster mitigation agency, their assessment has shown that it would no longer be possible to search for the remaining victims as the effort could cause landslides, which might possibly result in more casualties.
Since the rescue efforts began, authorities have so far saved 18 victims, who have now been sent to medical facilities to be checked for injuries. 27 dead bodies have also been recovered. Among the 27 dead bodies recovered, only 22 were identified by their relatives. Five of the dead bodies were reportedly buried in a mass grave because no family had come forward to claim them.
The entire area has been very difficult to get to as it is mostly comprised of steep terrain and unstable soil. The mine shafts are also dangerously narrow, making it very difficult for rescue workers to climb into.
It is currently not yet clear how many miners are still trapped under the soft ground. Witnesses and survivors have had different tallies of how many people were exactly inside the mines when the collapse happened. Some miners have revealed that there could have been more than 100 people working in the mines when it had suddenly collapsed.
The mine was reportedly not operated by any licensed mining company but was instead an illegal operation conducted by local Indonesian residents who wanted to make a little money out of the mineral-rich soil. The collapsed happened in a town called Bolaang Mongondow, which is a mineral-rich region north of Sulawesi. In December of last year, five miners were killed in a similar collapse that happened in the same area where unlicensed gold mining operations are common. Without any form of regulation, these mines often disregard basic safety procedures and practices. Miners are also not equipped with any form of safety gear and often using rudimentary tools.
