(MENAFN) All seven employees trapped in a material slide at PT Freeport Indonesia’s Grasberg Block Cave Underground Mine in Central Papua have been confirmed dead, the company announced Monday.

The tragic event unfolded on September 8 in Mimika Regency. After nearly four weeks of relentless search and rescue efforts, a joint task force—including PT Freeport Indonesia, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, local police, the National Search and Rescue Agency, and the Regional Disaster Management Agency—recovered the final five bodies on Sunday. Two victims had been found earlier on September 20.

PT Freeport Indonesia highlighted the extreme difficulty of the rescue operations, citing the site’s complex terrain and the massive volume of approximately 800,000 tons of wet material that engulfed the area.

Tony Wenas, president director of PT Freeport Indonesia, offered “profound condolences to the families of the victims” and honored the rescue teams for their “tireless efforts.” He added the company “will continue to provide full support to the families and ensure the remains are handled with respect.”

An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing. PT Freeport Indonesia has pledged a “thorough and transparent process aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.”

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