14 Freeport Employees Trapped in Flood at the Tembagapura Factory, Central Papua Evacuated

14 employees who were trapped in the flood were successfully evacuated by the Underground Mine Rescue (UGMR) team. (photo: dock. inter)

MIMIKA- Floods hit the Tembagapura Factory, Mimika Regency, Central Papua Province on Saturday 11 February due to heavy rainfall. 14 employees trapped in the flood were successfully evacuated by the Underground Mine Rescue (UGMR) team.

Vice President Corporate Communications PT. Freeport Indonesia, Katri Krisnati, stated that there were no casualties in the incident and that the health facilities and mess hall were ready to meet the needs of employees.

The situation at the Tembagapura Factory is currently under good control. The Copperpura Police Chief, AKP Ahmad Dahlan, stated that currently, he is still searching for the two civilians who disappeared when the flood occurred. However, the two miners who were reported missing have been found and their bodies handed over to the family for burial.

"As a result of heavy rainfall on Saturday 11 February at Mile Post 74 in Tembagapura it caused several material losses", he said in a media briefing to Antara in Jayapura, Sunday, 12 February.

It was stated that the 14 employees were detained in the OB1 building and the Amole Stockpile building when heavy rains hit the area causing landslides and flooding.

He explained that there were no fatalities in the incident and PTFI prepared mess hall facilities, employee dining areas and health facilities to be on full alert to meet employee needs.

"The situation in the Copperpura area, especially the factory area at MP 74 is currently still well controlled", said Katri Krisnati.

Meanwhile, the Copperpura Police Chief, AKP Ahmad Dahlan, admitted that current members of the TNI-Polri together with the community are still searching for two civilians who were reported missing during the flash flood that occurred on Saturday at around 16.35 WIT.

The two panners who had been reported missing, namely Jonius Mom and Noni Kum, had been found and their bodies handed over to their families for burial, he said.