At Least 14 Miners Killed in Venezuela Floods as Torrential Rain Triggers Tragedy

At least 14 miners have been killed following severe floods triggered by heavy rainfall in eastern Venezuela, rescue authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The disaster struck a gold mine in the town of El Callao, located in Bolívar state, an area that borders both Guyana and Brazil. Rescue teams comprising disaster relief agencies and the Venezuelan military are continuing efforts to recover the bodies and search for potential survivors trapped underground.

According to official reports, the miners were working underground when a sudden deluge of rain flooded multiple shafts in the mine, catching the workers off guard.

“They were caught by surprise,” said Bolívar Governor Yulisbeth García, confirming that the rescue operation remains ongoing despite difficult conditions caused by continued rainfall.

Social media videos showed mud-covered bodies being lifted to the surface by fellow workers and emergency personnel.

Local residents described the scene as devastating.

“What we’re experiencing is horrific,” said Elizabeth Zerpa, a local resident who lost two brothers in the tragedy.

El Callao’s Mayor, Jesús Coromoto Lugo, expressed condolences to the bereaved families, stating on social media that the town was “mourning the loss of its workers” and would support rescue and recovery efforts.

Gold mining is the economic backbone of El Callao, situated about 800 kilometres (500 miles) southeast of Caracas.
The town is home to an estimated 60,000 miners, according to municipal data.

However, it remains unclear whether the mine where the tragedy occurred was operating legally or illegally — a distinction often blurred in the region’s sprawling, loosely regulated mining sector.

Deadly incidents are common in Venezuela’s informal gold mining industry, particularly in the Bolívar region, where environmental degradation and unsafe mining practices are widespread.

Between 2023 and 2024, at least 30 miners lost their lives in mine collapses across Bolívar state — a grim reminder of the dangers faced by thousands of workers who rely on mining for their livelihoods.

As rescue operations continue in El Callao, local authorities and rights organisations are once again calling for greater oversight of mining operations and enhanced safety regulations to prevent future disasters in one of South America’s most perilous industries.