Heavy rains in the central highlands of Peru caused a collapse in a coal mine, leaving four miners trapped some 100 meters deep and it is not known if they are still alive.
On January 31 a collapse occurred in the Oyón municipality, which is located at 3,400 meters above sea level and about 200 km northeast of Lima
The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported today, according to Ahora Noticias, that rescue efforts have been taking place since the accident happened Thursday afternoon.
“The only ones who have come to the rescue are personnel of the Provincial Municipality of Oyón. We are still waiting for police and rescue workers to come,” said the local radio station El Tribunal del Pueblo, which attributed the collapse to “strong and constant rains,” Ahora Noticias said.
The austral summer months are the rainy season in the Peruvian Andes, Bolivia and northern Chile and often cause flooding.
