A devastating incident struck the El Teniente copper mine in Chile when a shaft collapse trapped five workers underground. On Saturday, the mining company, Codelco, confirmed that one of the trapped workers was found dead, raising the death toll to two.
The company is now coordinating with a public prosecutor to identify the deceased. Andrés Music, the mine’s general manager, expressed the company’s deep sorrow, acknowledging the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on the mining community and affirming their continued rescue efforts, albeit with greater caution and slower progress due to the risks involved.
Earthquake Triggers Collapse as Rescue Efforts Face Debris and Growing Time Pressure
The shaft collapse coincided with a 4.3-magnitude earthquake recorded by the National Seismological Center at the University of Chile. In addition to those trapped, nine workers sustained injuries during the incident. The earthquake appears to have triggered or contributed to the collapse, intensifying the danger faced by both the trapped miners and the rescue teams.
Codelco CEO Rubén Alvarado emphasized that the first 48 hours were crucial for rescue efforts. However, only four out of the 20 meters of debris needed to reach the trapped men had been cleared by Friday, highlighting the challenging conditions.
Located in the O’Higgins region, El Teniente is the world’s largest known copper deposit, and operations have been suspended as rescue teams work tirelessly to locate the missing workers.
The Chilean government is fully involved, with President Gabriel Boric announcing that Mining Minister Aurora Williams has been dispatched to the site to oversee rescue efforts. Boric extended his condolences to the family of Paulo Marín Tapia, one of the deceased workers, and promised full governmental support to rescue the remaining trapped miners.
Hope and Faith Endure as Investigation and Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Uncertainty
As time stretches on, hope remains a powerful force among colleagues and families of the trapped miners. Former union leader Edgar Rodrigo Quesada expressed concern that the miners may not have reached a nearby emergency shelter in time, citing the considerable distance from the collapse site.
Despite the uncertainty, fellow miners like Abelardo Céspedes continue to hope for a miracle, holding onto faith and solidarity. The mining community remains united in their prayers and support for the trapped individuals.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the collapse. Codelco has assured the public that explosives were not involved and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
General Manager Andrés Music reiterated the company’s commitment to rescuing the remaining workers and pledged that all efforts are being made to do so safely. The situation remains tense, but the rescue teams, along with national support, are working relentlessly in hopes of a successful outcome.
