Three gold miners die due to a mine shaft collapse in the northern department of Antioquia, reported local media Tuesday.
Two miners were also wounded, but according to the local disaster center coordinator, “the two were rescued alive and are currently stable and being treated at a hospital.”
Some news sources speculate that the small scale mine was an illegal gold mine, which are common in the area.
While authorities have not confirmed the cause of the accident, initial reports from the disaster prevention team that the mine’s safety measures did not meet the necessary infrastructure and safety requirements.
“Unfortunately this is a rudimentary mine and it does not have the required infrastructure and safety measures. This is a major cause of accidents in these mines,” said John Fredy Rendon Roldan, director of the Administrative Department for the Prevention, Attention and Recovery Disasters (DAPARD).
