Twenty-three miners in Colombia were rescued after 43 hours underground when their gold mine collapsed due to a geo mechanical failure.
Twenty-three miners were rescued on Wednesday after being trapped underground for 43 hours following a collapse at the La Reliquia gold mine in northern Colombia’s Antioquia department.
Colombia’s National Mining Agency (ANM) confirmed the accident was caused by a “geomechanical failure” that blocked the main entrance on Monday. Video footage released by the agency showed the first miners emerging under their own strength, using a rope to climb out of the shaft. Their medical conditions were not immediately disclosed.
Families waiting outside wept and applauded as the miners surfaced. The mine is located on land owned by Canada’s Aris Mining Corp. but operated by a local cooperative. Aris said it provided food, water, and ventilation during the rescue.
The incident highlights Colombia’s hazardous mining conditions. Just days earlier, seven miners were found dead in an illegal mine in Cauca province.
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