48 still missing in Indonesian landslide as search continues

A search continued on Tuesday for 48 people missing due to a landslide at a traditional gold mine in Indonesia’s remote Bone Bolango district in Gorontalo province, local media reported.

So far, 12 people have been killed while 48 others are missing in the incident, according to local media outlet Sinar Harapan.

The rescue teams halted the search operation on Monday evening due to heavy rain, and resumed operations early Tuesday.

Local authorities said they also evacuated around 56 people from the landslide site.

The rescue teams are facing several obstacles, including changing weather conditions, which have disrupted access.

Several bridges leading to the site were also washed away by landslides and floods.

Read: Indonesia search resumes for missing after Sulawesi landslide

Torrential rain triggered the disaster on Sunday morning in the district of Suwawa in Gorontalo province, with the landslide engulfing miners and residents living nearby.

Salama, an official at Indonesia's search and rescue agency, said by telephone that rescue efforts had restarted on Tuesday after being temporarily halted on Monday due to heavy rain.

Indonesia frequently suffers landslides, with the risk often increased by deforestation and small-scale illegal mining operations in remote districts that are difficult for authorities to regulate.

In May, flash floods and mudslides following heavy rain killed more than 50 people in Indonesia's West Sumatra province.