Indonesian Coal Mine Blast Kills Nine Workers

An explosion at a coal mine in Indonesia's West Sumatra province killed nine miners, authorities confirmed on Friday.

The blast, caused by noxious gases occurred in a mine in Sawahlunto district owned by a private company while the 12 miners were entering the pit.

Octavianto, a spokesperson from the local search and rescue agency said; “The team struggled to find victims considering the location was quite difficult to (access)."

Landslides, flooding and tunnel collapses are just some of the hazards miners face.

In April, an overloaded truck carrying 29 people hit a hillside and overturned near an illegal gold mine in Indonesia’s West Papua province, killing 18 people.