Tragic Discovery at El Teniente: Four Workers Dead After Mine Collapse
A strong tremor at Codelco's El Teniente copper mine has resulted in the deaths of four workers. Rescuers have found three deceased individuals after initially discovering another one. Efforts to clear the blocked passages continue as investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse.
In a tragic event at Codelco's El Teniente copper mine, three of the five workers trapped after a major tremor have been found dead, the company announced. Rescue teams are now focused on clearing obstructed underground passages that caved in due to last week's quake.
The initial incident claimed the life of one individual on Thursday evening, increasing the total number of fatalities to four. The first trapped worker was located on Saturday, while the discovery of two more deceased individuals followed on Sunday. Codelco expressed its deep regret over the tragedies, extending sympathy to the families and the community.
By Sunday morning, rescuers had cleared 24 meters of the 90-meter blocked area at the new Andesita section of the mine. The collapse, which began at about 5:30 p.m. local time, was triggered by a 4.2 magnitude quake—one of the strongest recorded at El Teniente. Codelco is investigating whether mining activities or natural tectonic shifts caused the disaster in the seismically active region.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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