The number of confirmed fatalities from a rockfall at a limestone quarry in Cirebon, West Java, has climbed to 18, with seven others still unaccounted for and feared dead, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The disaster occurred Friday morning when a sudden collapse buried workers and equipment at the site. At least 12 others sustained injuries during the incident.
Local military commander Mukhammad Yusron told AFP that recovery efforts continued through the weekend. “We recovered another body today, bringing the confirmed death toll to 18. Unfortunately, we suspect the seven missing individuals have also perished,” he said.
Rescue teams, supported by excavators and trained dogs, have been working tirelessly to locate the remaining victims. However, Yusron noted the dangerous conditions at the site, as ongoing rockfalls threaten the safety of responders. “The terrain is unstable, and we’re prioritizing the safety of the search teams,” he added.
Though the quarry was legally operated, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi revealed that the site failed to meet essential safety standards. He has since ordered its immediate and permanent closure.
“I’ve directed local authorities to shut down the company for good,” Mulyadi stated earlier in the week.
This incident marks the second collapse at the same site, the previous one occurred in February, though no casualties were reported then.
Mining accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, particularly in operations with lax or non-existent safety protocols. In July 2023, a landslide near an illegal gold mine on Sulawesi island killed at least 23 people and left 35 missing. That same year, eight workers were found dead after being trapped in an illegal gold mine in Central Java.
Authorities continue to urge mining firms to prioritize safety to prevent future tragedies.
