In a devastating incident reported on May 30, 2025, a landslide at a quarry in West Java, Indonesia, has resulted in the deaths of at least 10 quarry workers, as confirmed by Indonesia’s national disaster management agency. The incident occurred at around 10 a.m. near Cirebon, located approximately 135 miles east of Jakarta. In addition to the fatalities, six workers sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in local hospitals.
Landslide in Indonesia’s Quarry Claims Lives of 10 Workers
Landslide in Indonesia’s Quarry Claims Lives of 10 Workers
A tragic landslide in West Java highlights ongoing safety issues in Indonesia’s mining sector.
As reported by local outlet Kompas TV, images from the scene depicted excavators working to clear debris while officials searched for any remaining survivors trapped beneath the rubble. However, search and rescue operations were suspended at 5 p.m. due to darkness and heightened risks of further landslides. Mukhammad Yusron, the military district commander, indicated that efforts would resume the following day.
Bambang Tirto Mulyono, head of the West Java Department of Energy and Mineral Resources, noted that the landslide resulted from unsafe mining practices, specifically the method of mining from the bottom of the hill instead of from the top. He emphasized that the mining operator had received multiple warnings regarding safety violations and that local police had cordoned off the area since February due to non-compliance with safety regulations.
Indonesia experiences frequent landslides, particularly during the rainy season from October to April. This year alone, Java has seen two significant landslides resulting in numerous deaths, including an incident last month where 10 people lost their lives when landslides struck vehicles.
As an archipelago with a population exceeding 280 million, Indonesia has witnessed significant deforestation over the past 50 years due to agricultural expansion, especially palm oil plantations. Such environmental changes, alongside illegal mining activities, have further destabilized soil conditions. A tragic reminder of this is the November incident on Sulawesi island, where 24 individuals perished due to a landslide in an unauthorized gold mining area.
Jonathan Wolfe is a Times reporter based in London, covering breaking news.
Bambang Tirto Mulyono, head of the West Java Department of Energy and Mineral Resources, noted that the landslide resulted from unsafe mining practices, specifically the method of mining from the bottom of the hill instead of from the top. He emphasized that the mining operator had received multiple warnings regarding safety violations and that local police had cordoned off the area since February due to non-compliance with safety regulations.
Indonesia experiences frequent landslides, particularly during the rainy season from October to April. This year alone, Java has seen two significant landslides resulting in numerous deaths, including an incident last month where 10 people lost their lives when landslides struck vehicles.
As an archipelago with a population exceeding 280 million, Indonesia has witnessed significant deforestation over the past 50 years due to agricultural expansion, especially palm oil plantations. Such environmental changes, alongside illegal mining activities, have further destabilized soil conditions. A tragic reminder of this is the November incident on Sulawesi island, where 24 individuals perished due to a landslide in an unauthorized gold mining area.
Jonathan Wolfe is a Times reporter based in London, covering breaking news.
