A fire in a gold mine in Peru has claimed the lives of 27 miners, making it the deadliest mining disaster in Peru since 2000.
A fire in a gold mine in Peru has claimed the lives of at least 27 people, making it the deadliest mining disaster in the country in decades.
The fire broke out on Saturday, and social media images depicted thick columns of smoke billowing from the mine.
The local government stated that a short circuit started the fire early Saturday morning in the southern Arequipa region.
The mine is operated by the modest business Yanaquihua. The business did not respond promptly to a request for comment.
The Yanaquihua police station has also certified 27 fatalities, local prosecutor Giovanni Matos told local television on Sunday.
The Arequipa government was also informed that the mine proprietor requested assistance after the fire broke out.
At approximately noon local time, medical personnel arrived on the scene to assist the injured, which included three rescue employees, according to the local government.
Peru is the leading gold producer and second-leading copper producer in the globe.
Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines says this is the bloodiest mining accident since 2000.
In 2022, 38 people were murdered in mining accidents throughout Latin America, highlighting safety concerns in the mining industry.
2002 was the deadliest year for Peru, as 73 individuals perished in various mining catastrophes.
