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1 dead, dozens feared buried in landslide at illegal gold mine in Indonesia

Rescue workers carry a body bag containing a victim following the collapse of an illegal gold mine at Bolaang Mongondow regency in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Feb. 26, 2019 . Antara Foto/Humas Basarnas/ via REUTERS

Dozens of people are believed buried by a landslide at an unlicensed gold mine in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, the national disaster agency said Wednesday.

The agency said one person is confirmed dead and at least 13 injured.

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“It is estimated that as many as 60 people are buried under landslide and rock material,” the agency’s statement said, quoting a local emergency response official.

READ MORE: Prayers for tsunami victims replace Christmas celebrations in Indonesia

The mine collapsed on Tuesday evening due to unstable soil and the large number of mining holes, it said.

Dangerous informal mining operations are commonplace in Indonesia.

Police, search and rescue agency workers, military and Indonesian Red Cross personnel are involved in the rescue effort.

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