Indonesia Quarry Collapse Kills 17, 8 Still Missing

At least 17 people have been confirmed dead after a stone quarry collapsed in Indonesia’s West Java province, with eight others still missing as search and rescue efforts continue.

The incident occurred on Friday at the Gunung Kuda quarry in Cirebon district. Victims were buried under rubble when part of the limestone cliff gave way. Twelve survivors were rescued, although one later died in hospital.

By Saturday afternoon, 16 bodies had been recovered, while challenging weather, unstable soil, and steep terrain continued to slow down the rescue operation.

Local police chief Sumarni, who goes by a single name, said the cause of the collapse is under investigation. Authorities are questioning six people, including the quarry owner.

Rescue teams, supported by police, military personnel, and volunteers, used five excavators to dig through the debris in a desperate search for the missing.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi stated in a video message that he had previously visited the quarry before taking office and found it unsafe for workers.

“It did not meet safety standards,” he said, adding that he has now ordered the closure of the site and four similar quarries in the region.

Unregulated mining and quarrying operations are widespread in Indonesia, often putting workers at serious risk. Landslides, collapses, and floods are common, especially in areas lacking proper safety measures.

In a similar incident last year, torrential rains triggered a deadly landslide at an illegal gold mine in Sumatra, killing at least 15 people.