At Least 10 Dead, More Missing After Quarry Collapse in Indonesia

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead and several others are still missing after a stone quarry collapsed on Friday at the Gunung Kuda mining site in Cirebon district, West Java province.

According to Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB), rescue teams have retrieved a dozen injured individuals from beneath the debris during an ongoing and intense search effort. The agency said heavy machinery, including three excavators, was also buried in the collapse.

Dramatic footage from the scene showed emergency responders navigating unstable terrain, retrieving bodies, and placing victims in ambulances. Other clips circulating online captured a massive cloud of dust rising as panicked workers scrambled to escape the falling rocks and soil.

Police in Cirebon say the number of missing persons remains unconfirmed. District police chief Sumarni, who goes by one name, said officers, soldiers, rescue workers, and volunteers supported by five excavators are continuing operations despite risks of further landslides due to unstable soil.

Authorities have summoned the quarry owner and workers for questioning as investigations into the cause of the collapse begin.

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi described the quarry as “very dangerous” and claimed it lacked proper safety standards. Posting on Instagram, Mulyadi said the mine had been operational before his term began and that he had “no authority to shut it down.”

Rescue efforts are expected to continue through the weekend as emergency teams work tirelessly to locate any remaining survivors.