Landslide kills 13 at illegal gold mine in Colombia’s southwest

What the report says

At least 13 people were killed and seven others injured after a landslide struck an illegal gold mine in Colombia’s southwestern Narino department, Al Jazeera reported, citing a government official. Fredy Gamez, the department’s government secretary, said the collapse happened because activity at the mine caused a slope to give way onto workers. The incident took place on Wednesday night, according to the report.

The mine was described as illegal, though the article did not provide further details on who was operating it or whether rescue efforts were still under way. Al Jazeera reported the figures based on comments from local authorities and added that the site is in a region where informal and illegal mining has long posed safety and environmental risks. That broader context, while not specific to this incident, helps explain why mine collapses remain a recurring hazard in parts of Colombia.

The landslide came as Colombia was also dealing with the aftermath of a major earthquake earlier in August that killed hundreds and injured thousands, underscoring pressure on emergency services across the country. The report also noted a separate mining accident in May at a legally operated coal mine in Cundinamarca that killed nine workers, highlighting continuing concerns about mine safety nationwide.