Mexico City, Nov. 19, (dpa/GNA) – At least five people were killed when an illegal coal mine collapsed in a landslide in north-western Ecuador, the El Universo newspaper reported, citing the country’s disaster relief agency.
Three people were rescued alive at the site in Esmeraldas province near the border with Colombia. At least another two are still missing.
Miners had dug an enormous hole 70 metres wide and 40 metres deep before the collapse, according to disaster relief officials.
Rescue workers were searching the scene for more potential survivors. Initial media reports said up to 60 people might have been buried under the rubble at the remote site.
“I have arranged for the risk management and emergency agencies to take all necessary actions to safeguard people’s lives,” Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno tweeted.
Illegal mining – usually for precious metals – is a big problem in much of Latin America.
There are frequent accidents due to a lack of safe infrastructure. Rough mining has also been the cause of environmental problems.
In July last year, Ecuador’s government declared a state of emergency because of illegal mining in Imbabura province, also in the north of the country.
According to official information at the time, around 10,000 people were mining for gold in the region.
A criminal network had reportedly emerged around the illegal mines, in which crimes such as murder, forced prostitution, human trafficking, money laundering and smuggling, were committed.
GNA