Torrential rain triggers gold mine collapse in Venezuela, killing 14

Torrential rains in Southern Venezuela triggered a gold mine collapse that took the lives of at least 14 people as reported by emergency officials.

On Monday, October 13, the disaster hit the El Callao municipality,a region known for its mining activity.

The officials reported that victims were discovered under three different shafts within the flooded mine.

The National Risk System and Brigadier General Gregory González Acevedo are supervising the ongoing recovery operation. To coordinate the operation, a command post has also been established.

Initially, the rescue teams are focusing on de-watering the mine. Local media reports that “emergency authorities are attempting to pump out all the shafts in the sector to reduce water level in the first phase and then start rescue efforts."

The tragedy highlights the life-threatening conditions of the mining industry in Venezuela especially in small-scale and informal gold mines where no safety standards are met.

In recent years, the region has been hit with many mining incidents. The authorities and local communities are highly concerned as the death toll may increase as rescue operations are still on.