Article
Blood boils as mud volcano swallows homes [Indonesia]
One year ago...a gas-exploration well part-owned by the Australian mining giant Santos blew, sending a geyser of mud and toxic gas into the air. Nearby villages and factories were flooded...It is the region's worst social and ecological mining disaster, according to a leading Indonesian environmental watchdog, Walhi. The displaced await compensation, mitigation efforts are farcical and arguments continue over who will bear the multibillion-dollar cost...more than 43,000 victims await compensation...only 185 people so far have been compensated for the loss of their homes. [also refers to Lapindo Brantas (part of Bakrie Group), Medco]