Overview

• A magnitude 4.2–5 tremor struck the Andesita extension on July 31 at 5:34 p.m., causing a tunnel collapse 900 meters underground.
• The collapse killed one miner, identified as Paulo Marín Tapia, injured nine others and left five workers unreachable in the blocked tunnel.
• Over 100 rescuers using drones and robotic machinery have advanced just 4 meters toward the site despite persistent aftershocks as the 48-hour rescue window narrows.
• Codelco evacuated about 3,000 personnel from the affected area and suspended copper extraction while its concentrator and smelter continue to operate.
• Chilean prosecutors and Codelco engineers have opened criminal and technical investigations to determine whether the quake was natural or induced by mining activity and if safety protocols were breached.