CALDAS: Rescuers were working against the clock to rescue 11 people trapped in a flooded illegal goldmine since last week, Colombian authorities said Monday (Tuesday in Manila). The group has been trapped since last Friday in a 17-meter deep shaft flooded in a heavy downpour. According to the National Mining Agency (ANM), rescuers were using electric pumps to remove water from the mine. Diego Mesa, minister of mines and energy, said the missing miners had been involved in “unauthorized” activity. So far this year, 33 illegal miners have died, according to the ANM, and 171 last year.

Source: Manila Times March 30, 2021 16:52 UTC