Tragic Collapse Claims Five Lives in North Sulawesi
What Went Down
The rain was coming down like a storm, but the miners in the steep hills of Bakan village decided to keep digging. A sudden collapse buried five of them, and their bodies surfaced later that evening. The heavy downpour turned the mine into an unintended \”underground theatre of doom\”.
Key Findings
- Five miners were found at 7 pm. The victims were all locals from Bakan village.
- A sixth miner remains missing. Search crews resumed the hunt on Monday‑morning.
- Barangies: landslides happen often in this hilly, steep terrain, according to the BNPB.
- Even amidst the heavy rain, the miners kept working—an act that has now turned into a chilling reminder of the risks involved.
Mine, Company, and Community
Bakan also hosts a commercial gold mine put in the ground by PT J Resources Asia Pasifik in 2013. While many local families believe they own the right to mine the earth, the central government has outlawed small‑scale mining. Yet, local officials and some police officers tend to overlook the practice—supporting a vital, though dangerous, livelihood for thousands of families.
Why It Matters
- Small‑scale gold mining brings in cash for countless impoverished households.
- However, it also jeopardises health and damages the environment.
- Ignoring the risks leads to tragedies like this one.
Feelings & A Touch of Humor
In the wake of this calamity, communities are left with a mix of sorrow and heavy heartbeats. Laughing is no longer an option—when the sky pours down like a waterfall of doom, the only thing left to do is mourn. Because if anything, the lads who were in the mine could’ve traded a pickaxe for a favorite sandwich—though that’s perhaps a very, very far‑off idea.
