20 May 2013

13 bodies now recovered from Papua mine collapse

3:32 pm on 20 May 2013

Four more bodies have been recovered this morning from a collapsed underground tunnel at the Freeport gold and copper mine in Indonesia's Papua province.

38 workers were trapped when the tunnel, which is part of a training facility, collapsed following a landslide almost a week ago.

A 200-strong rescue team has been working around the clock to reach the workers who remain trapped.

Ten workers who were rescued last week are receiving medical treatment for injuries, although hopes that any of those trapped are alive have faded.

A Freeport spokesperson, Daisy Priyamanti, says the team has had some success this morning.

"Just a few minutes ago, I received another confirmation that another two bodies were found so the total number of deceased members of our colleagues are thirteen."

Daisy Priyamanti says the number of workers still trapped is 15.