Rescue teams in Chile are racing against time to locate four miners trapped in a collapsed section of the El Teniente copper mine, approximately 70 km southeast of Santiago, after a 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck two days prior. Search teams have already discovered the remains of one miner, heightening concerns for the others still missing.
Codelco, the state-owned mining company, reported the grim discovery of a body at the site, but the identity of the deceased has yet to be confirmed. The families of the missing workers have been informed about the situation. “This discovery fills us with sadness, but it also tells us that we are in the right place, that the strategy we followed led us to them,” stated Andres Music, the general manager of the El Teniente Division.
The earthquake caused significant structural damage, leading to the collapse of underground tunnels where the miners were working. Originally, it was reported that five miners were trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams have mobilized heavy machinery to clear the blocked tunnels and are making progress at a rate of approximately 15-20 meters every 24 hours.
El Teniente, renowned as the largest underground copper mine in the world, is located within the rugged Andes mountains, making rescue operations particularly challenging. Efforts will continue as teams strive to ensure the safety of the remaining miners, amidst a backdrop of hope and desperation.
Codelco, the state-owned mining company, reported the grim discovery of a body at the site, but the identity of the deceased has yet to be confirmed. The families of the missing workers have been informed about the situation. “This discovery fills us with sadness, but it also tells us that we are in the right place, that the strategy we followed led us to them,” stated Andres Music, the general manager of the El Teniente Division.
The earthquake caused significant structural damage, leading to the collapse of underground tunnels where the miners were working. Originally, it was reported that five miners were trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams have mobilized heavy machinery to clear the blocked tunnels and are making progress at a rate of approximately 15-20 meters every 24 hours.
El Teniente, renowned as the largest underground copper mine in the world, is located within the rugged Andes mountains, making rescue operations particularly challenging. Efforts will continue as teams strive to ensure the safety of the remaining miners, amidst a backdrop of hope and desperation.
