A landslide at an illegal gold mine in Colombia’s southwestern Nariño department kills 13 people and injures seven others. The collapse occurs Wednesday night, when mining activity prompts a slope failure that falls onto people at the site, according to a government official.
Local authorities say rescue efforts face delays because the ground remains unstable and the area is dangerous for responders. Reports also cite the presence of heavy equipment operating on steep terrain, with social media images showing ongoing work at the mine. A government source tells AFP that an explosion inside the mine may have triggered the slide.
All outlets describe the incident as occurring at an unregulated operation and note that mine accidents in Colombia are frequent. Some coverage also mentions that explosions related to gases can occur at such sites, helping explain why illegal mining is considered high risk. No additional information on the exact circumstances of the explosion or the identities of victims is included in the reports.
