Pohuwato Police Investigate Mining Death At The Location Of PETI Potabo

Illustration of bodies (ANTARA)

GORONTALO Pohuwato Resort Police (Polres), Gorontalo Province, is investigating the death of a traditional miner at the Potabo Unlicensed Mining (PETI) location, Hulawa Village, Buntulia District, Pohuwato Regency. The victim is known as Nani Atune alias Ka Nani (53), a resident of Hele Hamlet, Hulawa Village.

Pohuwato Police Chief, AKBP H. Busroni, said that his party was conducting an in-depth investigation into the incident. He emphasized that this incident was again a clear evidence of serious dangers lurking in illegal mining areas.

"In addition to causing environmental damage, PETI activities also greatly threaten the safety of the lives of traditional miners who work without adequate protection," said Busroni, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 7.

He appealed to the public not to be involved in illegal mining activities for mutual safety.

"We ask the public not to take risks in illegal mines. There have been many casualties. We will continue to follow up on PETI activities that endanger the safety of residents," he added.

Based on eyewitness testimony, Teti Pakute alias Ka Teti (44), the tragic incident occurred when the victim was defecating around the mining area. At that time, a large rock suddenly fell from the top of the cliff and hit the victim's head. Allegedly, the stone fell due to the activity of heavy equipment excavators operating at the mine site.

At that time, Ka Nani was in front of the trunk, not realizing that there was an excavator working on it. A large rock fell and immediately hit the victim's head. He died on the spot," said Ka Teti in a statement to the police.

The victim's body has been evacuated and taken to the funeral home in Hulawa Village. The family accepted this incident as a disaster, but the Pohuwato Police emphasized that the legal process would continue.

From the results of the initial investigation, the location of the incident is known to be an illegal mining area managed by a resident named Zainudin. Ironically, this is not the first time an accident has occurred at that location. Previously, a similar incident due to rock collapse had also occurred.

Pohuwato Police will continue to investigate this case in order to prevent similar accidents from happening again in the future.