An official from the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency reported that rescuers resumed the search today, Tuesday, for 45 missing people following a collapse at an illegal gold mine on the island of Sulawesi, which resulted in the death of at least 17 people.

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The disaster occurred due to heavy rain on Sunday morning, in the Suwawa area of Gorontalo province, trapping miners and some nearby residents at the site.

The official, Salama, explained that search efforts resumed today after being temporarily halted on Monday due to heavy rain.

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He added that about 400 rescuers are participating in the operation with the support of a helicopter. He continued by saying that 52 survivors have been found so far, despite the difficulties faced in the rescue operation due to mud and the necessity for some workers to walk more than 20 kilometers to reach the landslide site.

Indonesia frequently experiences landslides, often exacerbated by deforestation and illegal mining activities conducted by a small number of individuals in remote areas where authorities find it difficult to control such activities.

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In May, heavy rains caused floods and mudslides, killing more than 50 people in West Sumatra province in Indonesia.

In April, a landslide caused by heavy rains in South Sulawesi killed at least 18 people.