Mine collapse in Copiapo traps 34 workers

SANTIAGO.- A cave-in in the "San José" mine, located 80 km north of Copiapó, has left 34 workers trapped since yesterday, without any information about their health.
The incident occurred sometime after 2:00 PM, in a mine owned by the "San Sebastian" company, for causes that are still under investigation.

This accident has unleashed many questions about the mining company because the accident was reported to authorities at 7:00 PM, five hours after the collapse. The company said in a statement that this will be "part of an investigation".

Firemen and civil policeman arrived on the scene from Copiapó, Caldera, Chañaral and Diego de Almagro.

Almost 130 people are helping in the rescue work, but there have been many difficulties due to the huge amount of rocks, as well as communication issues, since the mine is isolated.

The Government sent a special committee headed by the Minister of Work, Camila Merino; the National Director of the Sernageomin, Alejandro Vio; and the Undersecretary of Mining, Pablo Wagner, who will be in charge of overseeing the rescue efforts.

They will be joined by the minister of Mining, Laurence Golborne, who has cut short an official visit in Ecuador with the President Sebastián Piñera.