Tembagapura, Papua. Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) on Saturday has recovered two bodies from a mudslide that struck its Grasberg Block Cave mine in Tembagapura, Mimika Regency, on Sept. 8, as rescue teams continue searching for the remaining trapped workers. The victims, whose identities are awaiting police confirmation, are believed to be among the miners cut off when tunnels collapsed in Extraction Panels 28–30.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. local time, when a sudden flow of wet material caused a cave-in, blocking access to several miners. Since the collapse, rescue efforts have been slowed by unstable conditions underground, including the risk of further cave-ins and flooding.

Freeport Indonesia confirmed that families of the trapped miners have been brought to Timika to receive direct updates on the ongoing search operation. The company released the names of those still missing: Irwan, Wigih Hartono, Victor Manuel Bastida Ballesteros, Holong Gembira Silaban, Dadang Hermanto, Zaverius Magai, and Balisang Telile. Reports indicate that Ballesteros is a Chilean national, while Telile is believed to be from South Africa.

In a statement, Katri Krisnati, Vice President of Corporate Communications at PT Freeport Indonesia, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged full support for relatives of the miners. “We continue to dedicate all efforts to the rescue and recovery of our colleagues,” she said on Saturday.

Grasberg, operated by Freeport Indonesia, a subsidiary of US-based Freeport-McMoRan, is among the world’s largest gold and copper mines. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed the status of the remaining miners. Rescue teams are proceeding cautiously amid unstable underground conditions, with hopes to reach the others as quickly and safely as possible.

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