One killed, four missing in landslide at Pertamina?s geothermal project

A fatal landslide accident at the Hululais geothermal project of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) in Bengkulu province early on Thursday morning killed one worker, while leaving four workers with injuries and four other missing.

The four missing workers were believed to be buried under the landslide, according to the Bengkulu Provincial Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).

The landslide occurred around 4.30 am at a hillside in the Cluster A of the Hululais project in Lebong Selatan district, Lebong regency following hours of heavy rains.

The dead worker is identified as John, a worker of PGE?s sub-contractor, while the injured are Roni Doris, Doris?s wife, Slamet Amano and Toni. BPBD did not unveil the name of the sub-contractor. Efforts by BPBD Bengkulu, military members, police and PGE?s workers and volunteers are in progress to look for the missing workers.

BPBD underlined that the landslide was by no means caused by activities at the geothermal project. It happened because rocks rolled down the hillside and hit the workers? camp.

PGE said in its website that it is developing two power units in the area, called Hululais 1 and 2 each with a capacity of 55 MW. The power plant is expected to start commercial operation in 2018. At present, the firm is finishing drilling infrastructure and production test. The area is estimated to have 300 MW geothermal resources.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon