Skip to main content
/asia
  Edition: U.S. | Arabic | Set Pref

Deaths rise in Indonesia mine collapse

  • Story Highlights
  • All the dead had been found badly burned, says search and rescue team member
  • Seventeen people sustained burns in the explosion; nine remain hospitalized
  • The area is known for its rich coal and has been mined since 1875
  • Next Article in World »
From Andy Saputra
CNN
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- Search efforts entered a second day Wednesday for 14 people feared trapped by a mine collapse on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, officials said.

Rescuers recover a victim at the mine tunnel in West Sumatra, Indonesia, on Tuesday.

Rescuers recover a victim at the mine tunnel in West Sumatra, Indonesia, on Tuesday.

The death toll from the collapse -- triggered by a methane explosion Tuesday afternoon -- climbed to 28 Wednesday, said Rustam Pakaya, head of crisis management for the Indonesian health ministry.

It was unclear whether the 14 people feared trapped were still alive.

Seventeen other people sustained burns in the explosion, with nine of them still hospitalized Wednesday.

Rescuers from the nearby cities of Sawahlunto and Solok had been dispatched and were racing to save those feared trapped, Yanuar of the Padang search and rescue team said Tuesday.

The Sawahlunto area is known for its rich coal and has been mined since 1875.

All About IndonesiaMining Accidents and Disasters

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print
Home  |  Asia  |  Europe  |  U.S.  |  World  |  World Business  |  Technology  |  Entertainment  |  World Sport  |  Travel
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  RSS Feeds  |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  Site Map
© 2009 Cable News Network. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.