ASIA PACIFIC

Indonesian Quarry Collapse Claims 19 Lives, Underscoring Safety Concerns

June 1, 2025
Vannesa Lee Orquestra

A devastating quarry collapse in Cirebon, West Java, has claimed 19 lives, highlighting critical safety issues within Indonesia’s mining industry. Rescue efforts continue amidst fears of further landslides.

Drone view of search and rescue operations in the aftermath of rock collapse at a quarry in Cirebon, West Java Province, Indonesia May 30, 2025 in this picture obtained from social media. Andrea Ramadhan via Instagram/via REUTERS
Drone view of search and rescue operations in the aftermath of rock collapse at a quarry in Cirebon, West Java Province, Indonesia May 30, 2025 in this picture obtained from social media. Andrea Ramadhan via Instagram/via REUTERS

CIREBON, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA – A devastating rock collapse at a quarry in Cirebon, West Java, has left 19 dead, eight injured, and six still missing, casting a grim spotlight on Indonesia’s mining safety standards. The incident, which occurred Friday, has sparked a flurry of investigations and renewed calls for stricter regulations within the nation’s mining industry.

Local police announced Sunday that the search for survivors continues amidst the treacherous rubble. The urgency of the situation is heightened by the ongoing risk of further landslides, a concern underscored by the region’s susceptibility to soil movement, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. The area’s cliff slope and the undercutting method employed in the open mining operation are being cited as potential contributing factors to the tragedy.

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Authorities have swiftly moved to hold those responsible accountable. Police have named two suspects, charging them with environmental law violations, failure to provide adequate safety equipment, and negligence. This decisive action reflects a growing determination to address the systemic issues that plague Indonesia’s mining sector.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has launched a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse, promising a thorough assessment to identify any potential for further landslides and to prevent future tragedies. Muhammad Wafid, chief of the ministry’s geological agency, highlighted the precarious nature of the site, emphasizing the need for extreme caution during rescue operations. He stressed the importance of suspending work during and after heavy rain given the persistent risk of additional landslides.

The gravity of the situation is further underscored by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s Instagram post, which described the quarry as dangerously substandard and unfit for worker safety. This stark assessment underscores the systemic failings that allowed such a tragedy to occur.

The Cirebon quarry collapse serves as a brutal reminder of the human cost of neglecting safety protocols in the mining industry. While the search for survivors continues, the incident has ignited a crucial conversation about regulatory reform and the imperative to prioritize worker safety above all else. The coming investigations will be pivotal in determining the full extent of responsibility and in implementing the necessary changes to prevent similar catastrophes from occurring in the future. The lives lost demand nothing less.

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