At least 13 people have been killed and seven others injured after a landslide struck an illegal gold mine in Colombia’s southwestern Nariño department.
The incident occurred late Wednesday when part of the mine’s slope collapsed, burying workers at the site, according to local authorities. Rescue teams were deployed to search the area and assist those affected.
The deadly accident comes as Colombia continues to recover from a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the western part of the country on August 10. The disaster has killed 319 people and injured thousands, according to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management.
The latest tragedy also highlights the dangers associated with Colombia’s mining sector, particularly at illegal and poorly regulated sites.
In May, nine workers were killed and six others injured in an explosion at a legally operated coal mine in Cundinamarca department, underscoring the persistent safety risks facing miners across the country.
