Tragedy in Nariño: Landslide in gold mine leaves 13 dead
A regrettable tragedy shook the department of Nariño, in Colombia, following the collapse of a slope in an open-pit gold mine. The landslide, which occurred during the afternoon of last Wednesday in the Puerto Rico village, a rural area of the municipality of Policarpa, left a tragic toll of 13 people dead and seven injured.
Gabriel Ocaña, director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) in Nariño, confirmed that the incident occurred while the workers were carrying out their usual duties at the mining site. Rescue operations continued throughout the night, with the support of heavy machinery, firefighters from Pasto, Policarpa, and El Tambo, as well as the backing of the local community.
Unfortunately, a slope collapse occurred at a mine that affected the people working there. The rescue of the trapped individuals was achieved, confirming the death of 13 citizens, while the seven injured were transported to nearby hospital centers to receive specialized medical attention.
Gabriel Ocaña, Director of the UNGRD in Nariño
Event details
- Victims: Among the deceased, four members of the same family belonging to the Quillasinga indigenous people were identified.
- Location: The mine is located in a mountainous area with difficult access, approximately 95 kilometers from Pasto.
- Regional context: The area is known for the presence of dissident groups operating in the northeastern part of the department.
The authorities have finished the search efforts at the site. This event occurs during a period of high sensitivity for the country, following the recent seismic events that have affected various regions of the Colombian territory, adding a new challenge for the relief agencies in the nation.
