All Five Miners Trapped in Chile Mine Collapse Found Dead

In a tragic conclusion to a desperate rescue operation, all five miners trapped in the El Teniente copper mine in Chile following a partial collapse have been found dead. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, was triggered by a seismic event whose origin – natural or linked to drilling – is still under investigation, as reported by Le Monde. The search operation involved at least 100 rescue personnel, according to The Guardian and Al Jazeera English.

Background and Context

El Teniente, located in Rancagua, 100km south of Santiago, is the world's largest underground copper mine. It is owned and operated by Chile's state-owned Codelco group. The mine was partially collapsed on Thursday following a seismic event, trapping five workers underground. The operations at the mining center had been suspended since Friday following the collapse of a tunnel, as reported by The Hindu.

Tragic Developments

The first victim, Paulo Marín Tapia, was discovered on Thursday, as mentioned by Clarin. As the operation continued, the bodies of two more workers were found early Sunday morning, raising the death toll to three, according to Le Monde and Folha de S.Paulo. By Sunday, rescuers had retrieved the remains of all five trapped miners, as reported by Deutsche Welle, Al Jazeera English, and The Hindu.

Throughout the operation, rescue teams advanced 40 meters to reach the trapped workers, as stated by Folha de S.Paulo. The search ended with the tragic discovery of the bodies of all five workers, as noted by Deutsche Welle.

Ongoing Investigation

As the rescue operation concludes, an investigation into the cause of the seismic event that triggered the mine's partial collapse is ongoing. Whether the event was natural or related to drilling remains unclear, according to Le Monde.

Conclusion

The tragic collapse at El Teniente mine has resulted in the loss of five lives, marking a dark chapter in the history of the world's largest underground copper mine. The event prompts renewed attention to the risks associated with mining operations, and the urgent need for stringent safety measures. The investigation into the cause of the seismic event continues, as the mining community mourns the loss of the miners.