7 bodies retrieved, scores feared dead after gold mine collapses in Indonesia

Rescuers have so far retrieved seven bodies after an unlicensed gold mine collapsed in central Indonesia on Tuesday, while scores of others are feared dead, officials said Thursday.

As many as 19 other miners were rescued alive and suffered from injuries after the disaster struck the illegal mine located in Bakan village of Bolaang Mongondow district of North Sulawesi province on Tuesday night, spokesman of national disaster management agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

"It has been the third day, many victims are predicted to be dead and the corpses have not been evacuated," he told Xinhua in a text message.

The spokesman said earlier that over 60 gold miners working at the site when the accident happened.

Poor geographical condition of the mine compound has hampered the rescue operation, he said, adding rescuers will now use heavy machinery to continue the operation.

Poor mine infrastructures and a large number of holes dug by miners amid unstable soil condition were to blame for the accident, according to the agency.

The Indonesian government has banned the operation of illegal gold mines, which are usually small in size and are situated in remote areas.