15 BODIES RECOVERED AFTER FLASH FLOOD HITS WEST PAPUA MINING SITE

JAKARTA, May 23 (Bernama) -- Indonesian rescue teams have recovered 15 bodies following a flash flood that swept through a remote gold mining site in the Arfak Mountains of West Papua, authorities said Friday, with four people still missing.

The disaster struck Jim village in the Catubouw district on the evening of May 16, after nearly seven hours of heavy rainfall triggered a torrent of water that tore through a makeshift mining camp, washing away tents and equipment.

“Victims were found gradually over several days,” said National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Abdul Muhari in a statement Friday.

Eight of the victims have been identified, while seven remain unidentified and are being transported to Bhayangkara Police Hospital for forensic examination, he said.

One miner initially reported missing was later found safe in a nearby village.

Abdul Muhari said efforts to locate the remaining missing persons are ongoing, with emergency teams from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the military, police, and community volunteers already deployed at the site.

“Rescue operations have been hampered by rugged terrain, volatile weather conditions, fast-flowing rivers, and limited communication tools.

“Night-time temperatures in the mountainous region have also affected the stamina of the personnel involved in the search,” he said.

-- BERNAMA