21 dead in Colombian gold mine collapse

At least 21 people were killed in the collapse of an illegal gold mine at Suarez in south-western Colombia, officials said in Bogota.

About 50 miners were working at the unregulated site when the collapse struck, Suarez council member Julian Valdes announced on Saturday. There was little hope of recovering the remains of the dead, who were buried under tonnes of earth, he said.

The disaster was believed to have been set off by heavy rains in the area.

At least 21 people were killed in the collapse of an illegal gold mine at Suarez in south-western Colombia.

First Published: Oct 14, 2007 09:54 IST