Babel Police Name 3 Suspects in Tin Mine Accident that Killed 7 People

ANTARA/HO-Polda Babel Humas.

JAKARTA - The Bangka Belitung Islands Regional Police has named three suspects in the case of an illegal tin mine accident that occurred in Pemali Village, Bangka Regency.

"In the case of the mine accident that killed seven miners, we have set three suspects," said the Regional Police Chief for Bangka Belitung Islands, Inspector General Viktor T. Sihombing in Pangkalpinang, Friday, February 6, reported by ANTARA.

The tin mine accident resulted in seven deaths, with six bodies found and one victim still in the search process.

"We, on behalf of the Bangka Belitung Islands Police, are also concerned and saddened by the death of the six miners. Six victims have been found and sent back to their home areas in Pandeglang, while one victim from Lebak is still being searched," he said.

Since the incident, the police immediately carried out the investigation and investigation process by examining a number of witnesses, including the surviving miners.

Until now, a total of 16 witnesses have been asked for clarification and from the results of the examination of the witnesses, investigators have found two different illegal mining events at the same location.

"The investigation process for the two events was carried out separately. From the 16 witnesses who were examined, we named three people as suspects, they played a role as owners, financiers, and collectors of mining results," he said.

The three suspects, with initials KH alias A alias HKS, S alias A, and SS, have been detained since February 5, 2026.

He explained that the suspects KH alias HKS and S alias A were charged with the Indonesian Law Number 2 of 2025 concerning the Fourth Amendment to Law Number 4 of 2009 concerning Mineral and Coal Mining for carrying out mining without a permit which resulted in a person's death.

Meanwhile, the suspect SS was also charged with mining without a permit because at the time of the incident he was carrying out mining activities with his group.

During the investigation process, the Babel Police have seized a number of evidence, including one unit of a SANY brand excavator heavy equipment that has been secured.

In addition, it is suspected that there are still two other heavy equipment units buried at the scene due to the steep terrain and deep piles.

"In addition to heavy equipment, we also seized other mining equipment, documents related to the delivery of mining results, and mining results in the form of tin of about 275 kilograms in a wet condition found at the location," he said.

The mine location is currently guarded by police lines and all mining activities have been stopped. The police are also continuing to search for one victim who has not been found.

In the future, the Babel Police will develop the investigation by examining other parties, including companies suspected of acting as coordinators for collectors in illegal mining activities.

"This investigation process does not stop here, we will investigate and hold all parties involved in this illegal mining activity accountable," he said.