Asia

Rescuers hope for miracle as Indonesia mine search continues

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Rescuers load the body of a victim of a collapsed mine onto a truck in Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. Rescuers have passed water and food to some of the dozens of people trapped in a collapsed Indonesian gold mine, an official said Thursday, calling the gruelling rescue effort a race against time, in the remote inaccessible location. ((AP Photo/Harry Tri Atmojo)

Map locates North Sulawesi, where an unlicensed gold mine collapsed and buried dozens of people; 2c x 3 inches; 96.3 mm x 76 mm;

An official overseeing a grueling rescue at a collapsed Indonesian gold mine says the voices of dozens of trapped miners are no longer being heard as the effort to reach them continued for a fourth day.

Abdul Muin Paputungan said Saturday that rescuers are currently not entering the mine in North Sulawesi's Bolaang Mongondow district while an excavator and other heavy equipment are working on it.

No one has been saved since Friday when the death toll stood at eight with 20 people rescued. Authorities believe about three dozen miners remain trapped.

Paputungan says, "Since yesterday we have heard no more voices from inside."

He says, "We still try to save them even though at the moment it seems like a miracle if they can survive."