Rescue operations are ongoing at the El Teniente copper mine, about 70 km southeast of Santiago, following a 4.2 magnitude earthquake that caused a partial collapse of the underground tunnels. The state-owned mining company Codelco confirmed the discovery of human remains, believed to belong to one of the miners trapped. Rescuers have notified the families of the trapped workforce, but specific details about the identity of the deceased have yet to be released.
El Teniente, recognized as the world's largest underground copper mine, faced the collapse while five miners were working within its depths at the time of the quake. General Manager Andres Music expressed both sorrow and hope, stating that the discovery of the body validates their search efforts and emphasizes their commitment to finding the remaining miners.
Using heavy machinery, rescue teams are methodically clearing the blocked tunnels, with an aim to advance 15-20 meters daily in the effort to reach the four trapped miners. Mining operations in the area have always come with risks, but the tragic incident has highlighted the challenges faced by workers in such hazardous environments within the Andes mountains of central Chile.
As the situation unfolds, both the families of the trapped miners and the community await crucial updates from the rescue teams.
