Asia Briefs: Indonesian gold mine collapses, trapping 11

Indonesian gold mine collapses, trapping 11

JAKARTA • A gold mine collapsed in Indonesia's western Jambi province, leaving 11 miners buried 50m underground, a senior official at the provincial disaster management agency said yesterday.

The collapse on Monday afternoon was triggered by heavy downpours, the official said. Search and rescue efforts are under way.

XINHUA


Philippines orders two navy ships

MANILA • The Philippines signed a US$337 million (S$469 million) contract yesterday with a South Korean shipyard for the supply of two navy frigates, underlining its intent to beef up its sea defences while pursuing closer ties with its biggest maritime rival, China.

Navy spokesman Lued Lincuna said the acquisition was a big step for the Philippine navy towards building a "world-class and well-equipped" force that could protect sovereign territory.

REUTERS


Australian molester jailed 15 years in Bali

DENPASAR • An Indonesian court yesterday jailed an Australian man for 15 years for sexually molesting at least 11 girls in Bali.

Robert Andrew Fiddes Ellis, 70, "groomed" and molested the girls aged between seven and 17 over a period of two years at his home before he was arrested early this year.

He was said to have bathed the children and touched them inappropriately.

His lawyer said he would file an appeal.

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 26, 2016, with the headline Asia Briefs: Indonesian gold mine collapses, trapping 11. Subscribe