Rescue teams in Colombia discovered the bodies of seven gold miners who had been trapped underground for more than a week, officials reported on Sunday.
The miners had been caught in an unlicensed mine in the south-western Cauca department following a cave-in on 12 September. Heavy machinery teams, firefighters, and local residents worked frantically to reach the trapped workers.
“The bodies were found on Saturday night in one of the mine tunnels,” said Graciela Tovar, head of the local civil defence agency.
It is believed the miners suffocated inside the tunnels.
Cauca is a region known for the presence of rebel groups that split from the FARC guerrilla army after it signed a peace accord with the government in 2016 following decades of conflict.
In this area, miners often operate unlicensed pits, frequently under orders from guerrilla factions that finance their operations through gold and cocaine trafficking.
Mining accidents are a common occurrence in Colombia and are often fatal, particularly in coal and small-scale gold mines.
Mining Accident Statistics
| Year | Fatalities in Mining Accidents |
| 2023 | 124 |
| 2025 (up to July) | 65 |
According to the National Mining Agency, last year 124 people died in mining accidents across Colombia. So far in 2025, the number of fatalities has reached 65, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by miners.
