Seven dead, dozens buried in Indonesia mine collapse

At least seven people have died and dozens more are still trapped beneath the rubble of an illegal gold mine that collapsed in Indonesia, officials said Thursday, as rescuers frantically searched for survivors.

Some 19 miners had been plucked to safety since Tuesday night's accident and rescuers are communicating with some still buried, raising hopes for more survivors.

But the rescue effort at the remote site on Indonesia's Sulawesi island was hampered by steep terrain and unstable soil conditions after the collapse triggered a landslide.

A survivor whose leg was amputated at the site Thursday later died of massive blood loss, bringing the death toll to seven.

"His condition was already bad and he had lost a lot of blood," said local disaster agency official Abdul Muin Paputungan.

"He died after we managed to evacuate him from the scene."
"The rescue is ongoing but it's risky... We've heard at least three people asking for help and we're trying to pull them out and supply them with water and food so they can survive."
"He asked for water because he was thirsty. But how could I get the water in?" an emotional Simbala told AFP. "Later in the afternoon, no more voices could be heard."