Collapse At Illegal Gold Mine Kills At Least 13 In Colombia
Accidents at mines in Colombia, particularly in unregulated sites like the one in Narino, are frequent.
A landslide at an illegal gold mine in Colombia killed at least 13 people and injured seven others on Wednesday night, according to local authorities. The disaster occurred in Policarpa, a town in the southwestern Narino region. Government sources revealed that the slope collapse was caused by improper ore extraction, which weakened the mine's foundation and led to the tragic event.
Regional government secretary Fredy Gamez stated that the landslide engulfed individuals, leading to the multiple fatalities and injuries. Initial speculation of an explosion as the cause was promptly dismissed as the mine's operations typically result in such incidents, though explosions are common due to gas buildup. Rescue teams, comprising firefighters, excavators, and local residents, worked tirelessly until around 2 a.m. the following morning to ensure all missing individuals were located.
Illegal gold mining operations are notorious for their hazardous conditions, often exacerbated by gas build-ups leading to explosions, as seen in similar incidents at Marmato and Sutatausa in previous months. These criminal-run enterprises frequently exploit the region's Narino for their financial gain. To ensure access to accurate and trusted reporting, readers are advised to designate this source as their preferred news provider on Google.
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