At least 14 miners have died after a gold mine collapsed in El Callao, a town in Venezuela’s southern Bolívar state, following hours of torrential rain.

Local officials said the downpour, which lasted around four hours on Sunday, caused severe flooding inside the Cuatro Esquinas de Caratal mine, trapping workers in wells 30 to 40 metres deep. Eleven miners died underground, while three others were killed near the water pumps used to drain the shafts.

The National Risk Management System confirmed the accident, saying rescue teams are still working to extract water before retrieving the remaining bodies. The operation involves several security, rescue, and civil protection units, as well as the army.

Environmental groups have repeatedly warned of unsafe working conditions in the region’s informal mines, where gold extraction remains the backbone of El Callao’s economy and supports much of its 30,000-strong population.

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