Overview

• Civil Defense confirmed the recovery of seven bodies from the illegal shaft in Santander de Quilichao, Cauca, with remains transferred to Medicina Legal.
• Preliminary findings point to a tunnel collapse that buried the workers in Cauca, with deaths attributed to lack of oxygen.
• A separate collapse at the La Reliquia mine in Segovia, Antioquia, left 25 workers about 80 meters underground, with authorities reporting the group is alive and in good condition.
• The Segovia rescue is led by Aris Mining’s security brigade in coordination with government teams, following initial contact established with the trapped workers.
• Officials cite a recurring toll from unsafe sites, noting 124 deaths in illegal mines in 2024 and 65 through July 2025, as Cauca remains a hotspot for armed groups that force illicit gold extraction.