 "A gold mine collapsed in El Callao municipality in southern Venezuela. (Representational Image: Pexel)")
At least 14 people have died after a gold mine collapsed in El Callao municipality in southern Venezuela following heavy rainfall, emergency officials reported on Monday. The victims were found across three separate shafts, with the death toll confirmed through testimony from other miners and local firefighters.
The National Risk System said teams were actively engaged in recovery operations. Emergency officials explained that the first stage involves pumping out water from the flooded shafts to allow rescue workers to reach those trapped inside. “The first phase of the works is to pump out all the shafts in the sector to reduce the water level, and then evaluate rescue efforts,” the authorities posted on social media.
Search and rescue underway
El Callao, a town of around 30,000 residents, relies heavily on gold mining, with most inhabitants involved directly or indirectly in the industry. The collapse occurred in vertical mines, known locally as ravines, which flooded during the heavy rains.
Venezuela’s mining sector, which includes gold, copper, and diamonds, is notorious for unsafe working conditions and poor regulation, contributing to frequent accidents. Rescue teams continue to assess the situation, but officials have not provided further details on additional casualties or the progress of operations.