2023-05-07 18:41:20
At least 27 workers died in a fire at a gold mine that was operating legally in a remote area of the Arequipa region, in southern Peru, local authorities reported this Sunday.
A short circuit would have caused the fire in the tunnel of the La Esperanza 1 mine, in the province of Condesuyos, said members of the Police and the Prosecutor’s Office.
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“The information we have from the police station, (is that there are) 27 deaths inside the mine,” said the prosecutor. John Matos to channel N of TV.
The newspaper The Republic said two miners were rescued alive.
How was the fire in a gold mine in southern Peru
The fire, apparently followed by an explosion, would have occurred on Saturday, but only until this Sunday did the police have confirmation of the victims.
The flames devoured the wooden props of the gold deposit, which operated legally, according to the first official versions.
The police arrive at the mine where the accident occurred (Photo: La República)
The fire is one of the worst mining accidents in recent years in Peru, the largest gold producer in Latin America.
The mine is located regarding 10 hours by car from the city of Arequipa.
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The victims would have been buried at a depth of regarding 100 meters in a straight line, according to local media in Arequipa.
The mine affected by the fire is operated by Minera Yanaquihua, a medium-sized company that has been operating for 23 years and exploits some 15,000 ounces of gold per year, according to information on its website.
Mining is one of the engines of the Peruvian economy and has an 8.3% share of GDP.
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