Solok, Sep 28 (V7N) – A deadly landslide at an illegal gold mine in Indonesia's West Sumatra province has claimed the lives of at least 11 people and left 13 others seriously injured. The incident took place in the remote Solok district on Thursday, following heavy rainfall that triggered the disaster.

Irwan Effendi, head of the local disaster mitigation agency, confirmed the casualties and stated that villagers were engaged in illegal mining activities when the landslide occurred. "So far, 11 people have been confirmed dead, and 13 others have been rescued with injuries," Effendi said in an interview with the South China Morning Post.

Initially, local authorities had reported 15 deaths and 25 people missing, but updated information on Saturday clarified that 11 people had died, and all missing individuals were accounted for.

The Solok district disaster agency also confirmed in a statement that the mine was operating illegally, highlighting the dangers associated with unregulated mining in the region. Accidents at small-scale and illegal mining sites are common in Indonesia, and authorities often struggle to regulate these activities in the mineral-rich nation.

Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities assess the situation in the affected area.

END/RH/AJ