Tragic Landslide at Illegal Gold Mine in Southwestern Colombia Leaves 13 Dead

At least 13 people have lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries following a landslide at an illegal gold mine located in Colombia’s southwest, a government official reported.

“Due to the activity taking place in the mine, a slope collapsed onto the people,” Fredy Gamez, serving as the government secretary for the Narino department, informed Caracol Radio regarding the tragic event that occurred on Thursday.

The landslide, which struck on Wednesday night, unfolds as Colombia continues recovery efforts following a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that hit the western region of the country on August 10.

Data from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management indicates that the death toll stemming from the earthquake has climbed to 319, alongside thousands of injuries.

In response to the compounding crises, Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella has formally requested the US—Colombia's primary export market—to implement a temporary tariff suspension aimed at alleviating financial pressure on local business owners.

This incident follows a separate mining tragedy in May, when an explosion at a legally operated coal mine situated in the Cundinamarca department resulted in the deaths of nine workers and left six others injured.