At least 13 workers killed in landslide at Colombian gold mine
Four members of an indigenous family are among the dead, witnesses said.
In a tragic incident at an unlicensed gold mine in southern Colombia, at least 13 workers lost their lives and seven others were injured in a landslide on Wednesday afternoon, according to local officials. The disaster unfolded when an explosion was heard at the open-air artisanal mine, signaling the impending catastrophe for those underground. Swift action from emergency responders and local residents helped recover the bodies, utilizing excavating equipment to access the trapped workers.
The area has seen its fair share of deadly accidents, particularly at unregulated mining sites where locals seek precious metals without the oversight of official authorities. Among the 13 fatalities, four were identified as members of a single indigenous family. The affected community, situated near Policarpa in southern Nariño province, includes residents of the Quillacinga indigenous group. These individuals have been known to work at the mine in significant numbers.
Artisanal mining, involving the extraction of precious metals and stones by hand, is an estimated practice for between 200,000 and 400,000 people in Colombia. Many families depend on the income generated from selling the materials they find to sustain their livelihoods.
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