Rescue teams search for trapped miners – DW – 01/14/2025

Rescuers in northern Peru were searching for miners trapped in a small Peruvian gold mine, after the mine was allegedly attacked by suspected illegal miners, a local mayor said.

Segundo Armas, mayor of the Pataz district in the northwestern La Libertad region, said Monday that up to 17 miners could be trapped in the mine.

Armas was unable to confirm how many minors were able to escape.

What do we know so far?

Armas said the mine collapsed after being attacked Sunday by “potential rival miners.”

“The area is difficult to access and we are trying to confirm the number of people trapped,” Armas said, adding that cell service does not reach the mine.

La Libertad is one of the regions with the highest gold production in Peru and, according to official reports, at least 40% of the supply comes from artisanal or informal miners.

Common attacks

The region is prone to attacks like the one mentioned by the mayor in this case, with illegal mining and organized crime playing a major role in maintaining insecurity in the region.

Last November, a attack in a mine in Pataz left four dead and one injured, highlighting the violence plaguing the region.

rm/jsi (Reuters, EFE)