15 trapped after Colombian gold mine collapses
The accident happened on an indigenous reservation in the municipality of Riosucio.
At least 15 people are trapped underground at an unlicensed gold mine in western Colombia, authorities have said, as rescue workers raced to reach them.
Some of the miners are trapped at a depth of about 17 metres, others at about 10 meters, according to police commander for the department of Caldas, Luis Duarte.
"A mine collapsed, apparently after flooding caused by the holes drilled to extract the mineral. At least 15 people are trapped," said Luis Pineros of the emergency response agency UNGRD.
"We're in the middle of search and rescue operations," he said, adding that 50 rescue workers and medics were on the scene.
The accident happened on an indigenous reservation in the municipality of Riosucio.
The National Mining Agency said local firefighters reported that gases in the deep, vertical tunnels had likely contributed to the cave-in.
