All Victims of Freeport Underground Mine Landslide Recovered
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TIMIKA, Investortrust.id — PT Freeport Indonesia has confirmed that all seven workers who went missing following a landslide at the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine have been found, bringing a month-long search and rescue mission to a close.
The company said on Sunday, Oct 5, 2025, that a joint rescue team consisting of personnel from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mimika Police, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recovered the last five victims after continuous operations in extremely challenging conditions.
“With this discovery, all seven of our colleagues affected by the incident on Sept 8, 2025, have been found, and the rescue operation is officially complete,” said Freeport Indonesia President Director Tony Wenas in a written statement on Monday, Oct 6, 2025.
The five workers found in the final stage of the operation were identified as Zaverius Magai, Holong Gembira Silaban, and Dadang Hermanto from Indonesia; Balisang Telile from South Africa; and Victor Bastida Ballesteros from Chile. All were employees of PT Redpath Indonesia, a contractor working with Freeport.
The remains will be flown to Jakarta and then returned to their respective home countries, except for Magai, who will be laid to rest in Kuala Kencana, Timika.
Tony expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, describing them as integral members of the Freeport community. “They were not only our colleagues but also part of the Freeport Indonesia family. This loss brings deep sorrow to us all. On behalf of the company, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to their families, who have been in Tembagapura since Sept 14. May God grant strength and peace to everyone affected,” he said.
He also praised the tireless efforts of the rescue team, who worked around the clock under difficult conditions. “The operation required extraordinary endurance and teamwork in a very complex environment, with an estimated 800,000 tons of wet material to remove. We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and prayers,” he added.
Freeport Indonesia said it continues to provide full assistance and counseling to the victims’ families and is ensuring that all arrangements for the repatriation and burial are carried out with dignity and respect.
The company also confirmed that a thorough and transparent investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. The findings will form the basis for enhanced safety protocols to prevent similar accidents in the future.