Eighteen gold miners trapped for nearly 18 hours in a mine in northwestern Colombia were successfully rescued by emergency teams, as confirmed by the government. The miners found themselves stuck in the El Minón mine, located in the Antioquia region, due to equipment failure, according to reports from AFP news agency.
The rescue operation spanned over 12 hours, concluding just after 3:00 AM local time on Friday. Authorities from Colombia's National Mining Agency (ANM) reported that all workers involved in the incident are in good health. A letter from Remedios' local mayor indicated that the mine may not have been licensed, raising further concerns about safety regulations.
Celebratory scenes unfolded as video footage captured the miners’ colleagues clapping and cheering while the trapped workers emerged from the mine shaft. Yarley Erasmo Marin, a representative from a local miners' association, shared with AFP that a mechanical failure led to a structural collapse aimed at preventing landslides, which ultimately blocked the mine's primary exit.
During their ordeal, the trapped miners were provided with oxygen through hoses while awaiting their rescue, as reported by local radio station ABC. The ANM released a statement urging the mining community to avoid illegal mining operations, which pose significant dangers not only to the miners but also to the environment and national resources. Mining accidents have been tragically common in Colombia, with fatalities often recorded in recent years.
