Emergency crews successfully rescued a group of miners trapped in a northwestern Colombian gold mine, highlighting ongoing issues with illegal mining and safety in the region.
Colombian Miners Rescued After Long Night Trapped Underground
Colombian Miners Rescued After Long Night Trapped Underground
Eighteen workers safely rescued from the El Minón gold mine after an equipment failure left them stranded for 18 hours.
Eighteen miners who were trapped for approximately 18 hours in the El Minón gold mine of Colombia's Antioquia region were successfully rescued early Friday morning. The miners became stranded on Thursday due to a mechanical failure that resulted in the collapse of a structure meant to prevent landslides, effectively blocking the main exit according to local miners' representative, Yarley Erasmo Marin.
The rescue operation lasted around 12 hours, concluding just after 3:00 AM local time with all miners reported to be in good health, according to Colombia's National Mining Agency (ANM). Video footage of the event captured the moment when the miners emerged from the mine shaft, greeted by claps and cheers from their colleagues.
Authorities have initiated an investigation, with local mayor in Remedios indicating in a letter that the El Minón mine may not have the requisite licenses to operate. The ANM has urged the mining community to cease illegal operations which compromise the safety and well-being of individuals involved and adversely affect national resources and the environment.
Tragic incidents in Colombian mines are not uncommon, with various accidents leading to fatalities in recent years, emphasizing an urgent need for improvements in mining safety regulations.
