Tragedy at El Teniente: Rescue Operation Concludes with Six Fatalities
A search and rescue operation at the El Teniente copper mine in Chile concluded on Sunday, August 3, 2025, with the discovery of the five trapped miners' bodies. This brings the total number of fatalities from the incident to six.
The tragic event began on Thursday, July 31, when a 4.2 magnitude "seismic event" caused a tunnel to collapse in a new section of the mine. One worker, Paulo MarÃn Tapia, was killed at the time of the initial collapse. The five other miners, who became trapped more than 900 meters underground, were Gonzalo Núñez, Jean Miranda, Alex Araya, Carlos Arancibia, and Moisés Pavez. Nine additional workers sustained injuries.
Over 100 rescue workers were deployed to the site, which is operated by the state-owned company Codelco and is the world's largest underground copper mine. Rescue teams faced the daunting task of clearing dozens of meters of rock and debris to reach the trapped miners. The body of the first trapped worker was located on Saturday, with the remaining four discovered throughout the day on Sunday, officially ending the rescue effort.
Both Codelco and the Chilean prosecutor's office have initiated criminal investigations to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to assess if any safety regulations were violated. The origin of the tremor—whether it was a natural earthquake or a result of mining activity—is a central point of the ongoing investigation. Codelco's chairman has stated that the company will bring in international experts to help with the inquiry.
Chile's mining industry is known for its high safety standards, and this incident has deeply impacted the country. The El Teniente mine is a massive operation with over 4,500 kilometers of tunnels, and it plays a significant role in Chile's economy.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
