By Xinhua,
Jakarta : Indonesian rescuers Tuesday recovered 12 bodies from a mining camp buried by landslide in easternmost Papua province, with nine people still missing.
Metro TV said the victims were believed to be employees of U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold Inc. that runs a huge plant accident in the remote Timika district.
“The accident occurred at around 10:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) last night (Monday). Heavy machines could not reach the scene immediately to evacuate the victims,” Timika Police Chief Godhelp told the television.
“We have recovered 12 bodies so far, but nine people were still missing.”
He said the area was surrounded by precipitous cliffs and local authorities have repeatedly warned miners and local residents not to reside there due to potential landslides.