Central Papua – Seven employees of PT Freeport Indonesia have been reported trapped in the underground mine at the Grasberg area, Tembagapura, Mimika Regency, following a landslide that struck on Monday night (September 8).
As of Tuesday afternoon (September 9) Western Indonesian Time, the whereabouts and condition of the seven workers remain unknown.
PT Freeport Indonesia confirmed the incident. Access to certain areas of the mine has been temporarily closed, which has also limited evacuation routes.
“This incident has affected the availability of rescue routes for the seven workers who remain inside,” said Katri Krisnati, VP of Corporate Communications at PT Freeport Indonesia, in a written statement received by BBC News Indonesia on Tuesday (September 9).