Search for victims of Indonesia quarry landslide continues, death toll hits 17

June 02, 2025 | 13:28

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As of May 31 evening, the death toll of the rock quarry collapse in West Javah, Indonesia had reached 17 with six injured.

This photo taken on May 31 shows the site of a quarry collapse in Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia. (Photo: XINHUA/VNA)

Hanoi – Indonesian authorities will continue searching for eight people trapped in a rock collapse at a quarry in West Java, the search and rescue agency Basarnas has said.

As of May 31 evening, the death toll had reached 17 with six injured. However, Basarnas said the the toll, as reported by the victims’ families, is provisional.

The site of collapse in Cirebon is dangerous and does not meet safety standards for workers.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said in a statement it would investigate the cause of the collapse and conduct an assessment to identify any potential further landslides.

According to Muhammad Wafid, Director of the Geological Agency under Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Cirebon Regency is a landslide-prone area, especially under prolonged heavy rainfall. The undercutting method used in the open mining and the steep slop may have been a contributing factor to the accident.

While carrying out evacuation and search efforts, rescuers must pay attention to the weather and steep slopes, and not carry out activities during and after heavy rain, because this area still has the potential for further landslides that could hit or bury them, he added.

Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported that the archipelago’s total high-calorie coal reserves are depleting. Director of Coal Business Development at the ministry Surya Herjuna said Indonesia now holds some 31 billion tonnes from an estimated total resource base of 97 billion tonnes. However, merely 5% of the country's coal reserves consist of high-calorie coal containing 6,000 kilocalories per gross as received (kcal/GAR). Coal at 5,000 kcal/GAR represents just 8%, while coal at 4,200 kcal/GAR makes up 73% of total deposits. The Indonesian government is encouraging coal exploration activities as part of the efforts to address the high-calorie coal crisis. Besides, it is joining hands with private enterprises to develop future plans amidst the depletion. Despite the challenges, the government hopes to maintain the economic viability of lower-calorie coal reserves – the 4,200 kcal/GAR grade coal having served numerous industrial sectors, Herjuna said. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Mining Association (IMA) expressed confidence in the coal sector's future prospects although part of the additional steam power plant (PLTU) capacity will be reduced over the next decade. IMA Chief Executive Hendra Sinadia said both export and domestic coal demand remain high, elaborating domestic coal consumption, currently accounting for 25% of total production, could increase to 30%.

Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported that the archipelago’s total high-calorie coal reserves are depleting.

Director of Coal Business Development at the ministry Surya Herjuna said Indonesia now holds some 31 billion tonnes from an estimated total resource base of 97 billion tonnes. However, merely 5% of the country's coal reserves consist of high-calorie coal containing 6,000 kilocalories per gross as received (kcal/GAR). Coal at 5,000 kcal/GAR represents just 8%, while coal at 4,200 kcal/GAR makes up 73% of total deposits.

The Indonesian government is encouraging coal exploration activities as part of the efforts to address the high-calorie coal crisis. Besides, it is joining hands with private enterprises to develop future plans amidst the depletion.

Despite the challenges, the government hopes to maintain the economic viability of lower-calorie coal reserves – the 4,200 kcal/GAR grade coal having served numerous industrial sectors, Herjuna said.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Mining Association (IMA) expressed confidence in the coal sector's future prospects although part of the additional steam power plant (PLTU) capacity will be reduced over the next decade.

IMA Chief Executive Hendra Sinadia said both export and domestic coal demand remain high, elaborating domestic coal consumption, currently accounting for 25% of total production, could increase to 30%.

By VNA

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