Eighteen workers trapped for roughly 18 hours in a gold mine in north-western Colombia were successfully rescued by emergency teams, as confirmed by the country's government. The miners became stranded on Thursday at the El Minón mine located in the Antioquia region due to equipment failure, according to AFP news agency reports.
After a rescue operation lasting 12 hours, all workers were reported to be in good health, according to the National Mining Agency (ANM). The local mayor of Remedios disclosed in a letter to the government that the mine operated without proper licenses. The rescue concluded shortly after 03:00 local time (09:00 BST) on Friday, as stated by Colombia’s energy minister.
Video footage captured the emotional moment when the miners' colleagues erupted into applause and cheers as the workers emerged from the mine shaft. Yarley Erasmo Marin, a representative of a local miners' association, revealed to AFP that a mechanical failure triggered the collapse of a structure that was meant to prevent landslides, obstructing the main exit.
During their time underground, the trapped miners were provided with oxygen via hoses while they awaited rescue, as reported by local radio station ABC. The ANM issued a statement urging the mining community to avoid illegal mining activities that threaten lives and have detrimental impacts on the country’s resources and the environment. Unfortunately, mining accidents are not unusual in Colombia, where numerous fatalities have been recorded in recent years.
