Rescuers searched through rubble after a deadly landslide hit a quarry mine in Indonesia.
Cirebon, Indonesia (EPICSTORIAN) — At least ten workers lost their lives when a massive landslide struck a quarry mine in Indonesia on Friday morning, according to the country’s disaster management agency.
The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. local time in West Java’s Cirebon region, approximately 135 miles east of Jakarta.
Heavy rains and unstable excavation practices are suspected to have contributed to the collapse, which sent tons of rock and earth cascading down the mountainside.
Authorities confirmed that all victims were quarry workers employed at the site. Six other individuals sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Video footage of the disaster showed an entire section of the mountain crumbling suddenly, triggering panic as remaining workers scrambled to escape. Some fled in vehicles as debris engulfed the area.
Poor Mining Methods Blamed for Deadly Quarry Mine in Indonesia Collapse
Bambang Tirto Mulyono, head of the West Java Department of Energy and Mineral Resources, attributed the collapse at the quarry mine in Indonesia to dangerous excavation practices.
According to Mulyono, workers had been mining from the base of the hill upward—a method that violates standard safety protocols.
“We have repeatedly warned the operator, even using strong language,” Mulyono told local outlet Detik Jabar. He added that the site had previously been cordoned off by police due to similar safety violations.
The quarry mine in Indonesia had also been cited for polluting nearby water sources, causing further problems for surrounding communities and farmers dependent on clean irrigation.
Mulyono has recommended a full environmental audit and temporary closure of the site, which could lead to permanent shutdown if illegal operations are confirmed.
Rescue Operations Hampered by Darkness and Safety Risks
Search and rescue efforts at the quarry mine in Indonesia were halted around 5:00 p.m. due to fading daylight and fears of secondary landslides.
Mukhammad Yusron, the regional military commander, stated that operations will resume Saturday morning once conditions improve.
Footage broadcast by Kompas TV showed excavators carefully combing through the rubble while rescue teams transported medical supplies to the scene. First responders were seen coordinating around the site, which remains unstable.
Landslide Highlights Broader Risks Across Indonesia’s Mining Sector
This tragedy underscores the persistent risks associated with quarry mining in Indonesia, particularly during the nation’s annual monsoon season from October to April.
Indonesia’s mining industry has long faced criticism over illegal operations, lax enforcement, and environmental degradation.
Just last month, ten people were killed in a similar landslide on Java island. In November, 24 individuals died in an unauthorized gold mining operation on Sulawesi island.
Experts say widespread deforestation—largely for palm oil and agriculture—has weakened soil integrity across Indonesia’s 17,500 islands, making landslides increasingly common and deadly.
Governor Orders Safety Review After West Java Quarry Disaster
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has pledged to personally inspect the site of the landslide and ensure a comprehensive review of safety measures at all active quarry operations in the region.
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Authorities believe the incident at the quarry mine in Indonesia could serve as a wake-up call to improve oversight across the mining sector. Calls for stricter enforcement and regulatory reform are growing as families mourn the dead and injured.
