West Kalimantan, Indonesia—Two gold miners died Wednesday when their tunnel collapsed in a remote area of West Kalimantan. The cave-in occurred during the early morning hours while the men were underground. Rescue teams spent the entire day digging through loose earth to reach the workers.

The site is known for unregulated mining activity, which often lacks proper structural support. Local residents who witnessed the collapse alerted the authorities as soon as they realized the miners were trapped. It took several hours for teams to stabilize the shaft enough to enter safely.

By the time the rescue team reached the location, both miners had succumbed to their injuries. Their bodies were brought to the surface and turned over to local medical authorities. The identities of the men have been verified by community leaders.

Police have started an investigation into the owner of the mining site. They are trying to determine if the activity was licensed or if it was being operated illegally. No arrests have been made, but officers have cordoned off the entrance.

The cave-in is believed to have been triggered by recent rains that weakened the tunnel walls. Miners in this region often work in precarious conditions to find gold deposits. Advocates for worker safety have long called for stricter controls in these informal zones.

Family members of the miners have gathered near the site to await the release of the remains. Local government officials stated that they will provide assistance for the funeral arrangements. This is the third mining-related accident in the district this year.

The regional disaster mitigation agency is currently assessing the site for the risk of further collapses. They have ordered all miners to evacuate the area until a full safety inspection can be completed. Future operations at this specific tunnel remain prohibited.

The case remains under active investigation by the local precinct. They are focusing on whether proper support beams were installed before the men entered the shaft. No further comments were provided by the site operators.