Colombian rescue workers recovered the bodies of nine victims killed in a tragic mining accident.
At least 60 rescuers worked to pump water out of the mine which flooded Thursday. The mine, aptly named The Despair, is situated in the municipality of Angelopolis in the department of Antioquia.
The government has called the mine’s legality into question but the mine’s owner Arnulfo Velasquez claims to have the proper documentation.
“There is no doubt that the mine is illegal,” said Colombian Mines Minister Mauricio Cardenas Santamaria. “Honestly speaking, I was very sad to hear the employer owns the mine, we note very little concern for the situation of the miners who were there,” he said.
Dozens of Colombian miners are killed in work-related accidents each year.