Rescue teams are actively working to retrieve victims from the flooded mine shafts in southern Venezuela, according to emergency responders.
At least 14 individuals have lost their lives following the collapse of a gold mine triggered by heavy rains in Venezuela. The National Risk System confirmed on Monday that recovery operations are underway at the site located in the El Callao municipality, with bodies discovered in three distinct mine shafts.
El Callao, situated approximately 850 kilometers (528 miles) southeast of Caracas, has long been a center for gold mining since the precious metal was first found there in 1853. The local economy heavily depends on mining, with many residents engaged in the industry either directly or indirectly.
Authorities have established a command center in El Callao to oversee the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts, coordinated by Bolivar state’s Operational Zones for Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis agency. The fatalities occurred when flooding caused the vertical shafts of the Cuatro Esquinas de Caratal mine to collapse.
Fortunately, two miners escaped without injury from one of the shafts, which extends roughly 100 meters (328 feet) underground. Emergency officials shared on social media that the initial step involves pumping water out of all affected shafts to lower water levels before proceeding with further rescue attempts.
The current death count is based on accounts from the survivors, as reported by local firefighters on social platforms and relayed by news agencies.
Ongoing Safety Concerns in Mining
Despite its rich mineral resources, including copper and diamonds, Venezuela’s mining industry is notorious for its lack of regulation and hazardous working environments. Reports frequently highlight the exploitation of laborers and unsafe conditions that put miners at significant risk.
In July 2020, then-UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet criticized Venezuelan authorities for neglecting to investigate abuses linked to mining operations. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights described the sector as one where untrained workers, often without proper footwear, endure grueling 12-hour shifts descending into deep, unprotected pits.
The tragedy at the Cuatro Esquinas de Caratal mine underscores the urgent need for improved safety protocols and stricter oversight within Venezuela’s mining sector to prevent further loss of life.
