Five trapped miners found dead in El Teniente mine collapse, total deaths now six

All five workers trapped underground in a collapse at Chile’s El Teniente copper mine have been found dead, regional prosecutors confirmed on 4 August, bringing the death toll to six.

The bodies were discovered after rescue teams cleared more than 24 metres of collapsed tunnels caused by a strong tremor last Thursday evening. Prosecutor Aquiles Cubillo of the O’Higgins region announced the discovery of the fifth body on Sunday afternoon.

The collapse initially trapped six workers, with one dying immediately during the incident. Rescue teams found the first trapped miner on Saturday, followed by three more on Sunday. Codelco, Chile’s state-run copper producer, has not yet commented on the final recovery.

This tragic accident highlights ongoing concerns about safety in one of the world’s largest underground mines. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the tremor and the collapse.

President Gabriel Boric expressed his condolences and called for urgent answers. “We will not allow this to be just another tragedy in the mining sector,” he said.

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