Flash flood kills 15 at West Papua mine

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed that 15 people died in a flash flood that struck a gold mining site in Jim Village, Catubouw, Arfak Mountains District, West Papua.

“A total of 15 bodies have been found from Sunday (May 18) to Wednesday (May 21). Eight of the victims have been identified, while the remaining seven are still in the process of identification,” Head of BNPB’s Data, Information, and Communication Abdul Muhari noted in a statement here on Friday.

He added that four other individuals are still reported missing and are being searched for by a joint team.

The joint team comprises personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and local residents.

The BNPB reported that the flash flood occurred around 9 p.m. local time, following nearly seven hours of heavy rainfall in the Arfak Mountains area.

The strong water current swept away tents used by traditional gold miners and carried away all their mining tools.

One missing person, Erik, 25, was found alive in Kenyum Village and is in good health. However, search operations for other victims are ongoing, despite several challenges on the ground.

“Extreme terrain, strong river currents, unpredictable weather, limited equipment, and poor communication networks are hampering evacuation efforts," Muhari stated.

Meanwhile, urgent needs at the site include communication and lighting equipment, logistics for personnel, personal protective equipment (PPE), bedding supplies, operational vehicles, ambulance, fuel, and heavy machinery to access remote areas.

“The regional government, along with all relevant agencies, continues to coordinate in the search and evacuation process,” he remarked.