Indonesian Quarry Rockfall Death Toll Reaches 18, Rescue Efforts Conclude

 A massive rockfall at an illegal limestone quarry in Kembang Tanjung village, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia, on May 28, 2025, claimed 18 lives, with rescue operations concluding on May 31.

The disaster, triggered by unstable cliffs during heavy rain, buried 22 workers, with four survivors sustaining fractures. The Bangka Belitung Regional Disaster Management Agency deployed 150 personnel, using excavators and drones to recover bodies over three days. The final victim, a 34-year-old miner, was found under 10 meters of debris, ending hopes of further survivors.

The quarry, operating without permits, employed 50 locals, paying $5 daily despite known risks. Police arrested the site manager for negligence, facing up to five years in prison under Indonesia’s mining laws. Governor Suganda Pandapotan vowed to shut down 200 illegal quarries, citing 50 deaths in similar incidents since 2023.

Families received $2,000 compensation, but protests erupted over lax enforcement. Environmentalists blame deforestation and weak regulations, urging a national mining audit. The tragedy, the deadliest quarry accident in Indonesia since 2021, has sparked calls for stricter oversight, with survivors like 25-year-old Rudi Hartono demanding justice for lost colleagues.