Landslides In Solok Are Illegal Mining Locations

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) revealed that the location of the landslide disaster that killed at least 15 residents in Solok Regency, West Sumatra was an illegal mining area.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said that the landslide occurred on Thursday, September 26 at 17.00 WIB after previously heavy rains flushed an illegal mining area in Nagari (Village) Sungai Abu, Hiliran Gumanti District, Solok.

"The unstable soil structure plus high rainfall intensity contributed to the incident," he said, quoting Antara.

He said so far four of the 15 dead had been evacuated, while seven others were still being searched. This incident also resulted in three serious injuries already being handled by the medical team.

BNPB confirmed that the joint team in the field faced a number of obstacles such as access to locations far from nearby villages, bad weather to the risk of further landslides.

However, his party ensures that search and rescue operations will continue to be carried out by a joint team consisting of BPBD, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, PMI and assisted by local residents in at least the next seven days.

He appealed to all parties involved in the operation to remain vigilant considering that the weather in the area still has the potential for rain accompanied by lightning until Saturday (28/9).