At least 13 killed and seven injured in illegal gold mine landslide in Colombia

Authorities reported that a landslide at an illegal gold mine in Policarpa, located in Colombia’s southwestern Narino region, claimed the lives of 13 individuals and injured seven others. The collapse was attributed to improper extraction practices that undermined the mine’s foundation, according to regional government secretary Fredy Gamez. Initial speculation about an explosion was dismissed by officials.

Firefighters, excavators and local volunteers conducted rescue operations until about 2 a.m. on Thursday, when all missing persons were accounted for. The tragedy highlights the frequency of accidents at unregulated mines in Colombia, a country where such sites are often run by criminal groups. Earlier incidents this year include a gold mine accident in Marmato, Caldas, and a coal mine explosion near Bogota that killed nine workers.