Feb 22, 2024 at 6:09 AM Update: 39 minutes ago
At least fifteen people were killed in Venezuela on Tuesday when an illegal gold mine collapsed. Eleven others were injured.
President Nicolás Maduro announced this on Wednesday. It concerns the illegal gold mine Bulla Loca in La Paragua, south of the city of Ciudad Bolívar. The mine is located in a remote area of the Amazon.
Countless gold miners are buried under the rubble. Governor Bolívar previously estimated that 30 people died in the collapse. Local media even spoke of fifty to seventy deaths.
The search for victims is still ongoing. Two helicopters have been deployed to assist with the rescue efforts. It is still unclear what caused the gold mine to collapse.
In Venezuela, illegal gold mining became very popular when the economy was in unprecedented crisis between 2013 and 2020. The poorest Venezuelans in particular look for work in the gold mines.
The authorities occasionally raid gold mines because accidents occur regularly and because mafia and guerrilla groups are present. Four years ago, at least 35 people were killed when two mines collapsed.
Relatives mourn over the body of one of the deceased. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
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2024-02-22 05:09:28
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