Head of Padang’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Octavianto, said that the body of the 10th victim was evacuated around 6 p.m. local time and taken to a hospital for a post-mortem examination.
"Then it will be handed over to the family. We will have a briefing to ensure whether there are still further victims or others. After that, we will close the operation," he informed on Friday.
Based on the interim report, the explosion occurred at 9 a.m. local time on Friday in a mining pit belonging to PT NAL Sawahlunto's Mining Business Permit (IUP) in Salak village, Talawi sub-district, Sawahlunto city.
It is suspected that the explosion occurred inside the mine pit when the pit workers started deep mining activities. The mine hole emitted smoke, which was accompanied by a small explosion inside it.
The company ordered the head of the mining hole to conduct an inspection.
At the time of the explosion, the number of workers at the site was 14. Four of them sustained burn injuries and ten were killed in the incident. The four survivors were taken to the hospital and provided intensive care.
The joint SAR team continued to evacuate victims of the explosion since the site of the explosion was difficult to reach.
Head of the National Police's public relations division, Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, said that a team of investigators from the West Sumatra police office and Sawahlunto police station had launched an investigation into the cause of the coal mining accident.
"(The cause) is still being investigated by the police regarding the accident," Prasetyo added.
Related news: Police launch probe into Sawahlunto coal mine explosion
Related news: Electricity sector's coal consumption rose 60 percent in six years
Translator: Mario Sofia N, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
