At Least 10 Killed in Indonesia Coal Mine Blast (Video)

A coal mine explosion, caused by noxious gases including methane, in Indonesia’s West Sumatra province on Friday left 10 people dead.

The blast occurred in a mine in Sawahlunto district owned by a private company while the 12 miners were entering the pit. The rescue team used blowers and exhaust fans to remove air from the mine to make it safe to enter the area.

“The team struggled to find victims considering the location was quite difficult to (access),” said Octavianto, a spokesperson from the local search and rescue agency who like many Indonesians only goes by one name.

Videos published by the National Search and Rescue Agency showed rescuers carrying victims out on stretchers and giving them oxygen from tanks.

Last April, more than 12 female workers were killed and two others injured when a landslide took place in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra, local police announced on Friday.

District police chief Reza Chairul told local media that a number of people were digging for gold at an illegal gold mine before the landslide occurred in Bandar Limabung village.

"Suddenly, part of the cliff collapsed, then hit and buried the women," Chairul said. "A total of 14 people were buried. Two people survived.”