New victim found after Big Gossan Incident

Rescuers who have been working extensively after the Big Gossan incident have recovered another body at 2:50 am this morning.

According to an update from Freeport sent midday today, the deceased employee has been identified as Rooy Kailuhu.

This discovery adds up the number of accounted casualties to 5 from the previous four.

Four of the ten rescued survivors were airlifted to Jakarta for further treatment this morning. The company stated that all rescued survivors are in stable condition.

Freeport continued to suspend work at the mine site for the second day running, "out of respect and sympathy for our deceased and injured colleagues," the company said, adding that this is a temporary suspension during the rescue and recovery period.

The company has also suspended its negotiation process with the PT Freeport Indonesia Chapter of the All-Indonesian Workers in the Chemical, Energy and Mining Sectors (PUK-FSP KEP SPSI) on its Collective Labor Agreement for the period 2013-2015 for the same reason.

"The Big Gossan tunnel collapse occurred in an area which is not influenced by mining operations, "the company defended.

At least 24 people are still unaccounted for.

Editing by Er Audy Zandri