'Sa Pusod ng Bulkan,' dokumentaryo ni Kara David (Full Episode) | I-Witness

Summary

In Indonesia, home to the most active volcanoes in the world, miners brave dangerous conditions to harvest sulfur from the deadly Kawa Ijen volcano. The documentary follows the journey of sulfur miners, including a 65-year-old veteran and his son, as they endure harsh conditions, inhaling toxic fumes and carrying heavy loads of sulfur on their backs. Despite the perilous work, they continue to risk their lives, driven by the hope of providing a better future for their families. The story highlights the strength and determination of these miners, working in a landscape where the boundary between hell and heaven seems to converge.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia is home to the largest archipelago in the world and has the highest number of active volcanoes, making it one of the most volcanic countries on Earth.
• 😀 The Kawa Ijen volcano, known for its toxic sulfur, presents a dangerous working environment for miners who extract sulfur from its crater.
• 😀 Despite the hazardous conditions, many Indonesian families rely on volcanoes for their livelihood, with miners facing long hours of physically demanding work.
• 😀 Miners, like Un, who has been working for over 40 years, endure the painful consequences of inhaling sulfur fumes and carrying heavy loads of sulfur.
• 😀 The sulfur is highly acidic, with the water in the volcano's crater having a dangerously low pH level of 0.5, making it extremely toxic to humans.
• 😀 The volcano's crater lake is surrounded by sulfur vents that produce thick, suffocating smoke, which miners must endure during their dangerous work.
• 😀 Inhalation of sulfur fumes can cause severe respiratory issues, and many miners have died due to long-term exposure to the toxic gas.
• 😀 Despite the risks, miners continue to work in the crater because they need to earn a living, with some even bringing their children into the dangerous profession.
• 😀 Some miners prefer working at night to avoid the thick smoke, as the cooler temperatures and lower sulfur emissions make it easier to breathe.
• 😀 The miners' ultimate goal is to provide a better future for their children, hoping they will be able to escape the perilous and exhausting work of mining sulfur.

Q & A

What makes the volcano in Indonesia one of the most dangerous?

Indonesia is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it the country with the most active volcanoes in the world. The volcano in the script is particularly dangerous due to its sulfur emissions and the deadly gases that miners inhale while collecting sulfur from the crater.

How long have miners been working in the sulfur mines in Indonesia?

Some miners, like Un, have been working in the sulfur mines for over 40 years, enduring the hazardous conditions of the volcanoes.

What is the significance of the yellow smoke that surrounds the miners?

The yellow smoke is sulfur dioxide gas released by the volcano, which is toxic and harmful to health. Despite the dangers, miners continue to work in these conditions to collect sulfur.

What health risks do the miners face while working in the sulfur mines?

The miners face severe health risks, including respiratory problems due to inhaling toxic sulfur gases, which have led to the deaths of several miners over the years.

Why do the miners wear minimal protective gear?

The miners typically wear minimal protective gear, such as basic masks, due to the lack of adequate resources and equipment. This exposes them to the harmful fumes and toxic gases in the environment.

What is the 'blue flame' phenomenon mentioned in the script?

The blue flame is a phenomenon that occurs when sulfur gas reacts with oxygen, creating an intense and beautiful blue fire. This happens at night in the volcano and is a striking visual but also hazardous to the miners.

What is the process of sulfur mining in the volcano?

Miners descend into the crater to collect sulfur, which is in a solid form. They use baskets to carry the sulfur and then climb back up the dangerous, steep slopes, often carrying loads weighing 30 to 80 kilograms.

How does the temperature affect the mining work?

At night, the temperature can drop as low as 0°C, making the mining process even more challenging and dangerous. The cold combined with the toxic fumes increases the difficulty of the job.

What motivates the miners to continue working despite the dangers?

The miners, such as Un and Miss Lan, continue working to support their families. They see the job as their only way of earning a living, despite the life-threatening conditions.

What kind of wages do the miners earn for their dangerous work?

The miners earn very little for their work, with Un receiving only around 24,000 IDR (about 2 USD) for hours of exhausting labor. This meager pay reflects the harsh reality of the job.