Miners rescued after collapse in illegal mine in Brazil

By Thais Matos – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – A containment box collapsed in an illegal copper mining site located in the rural area of Canaã dos Carajás, in Pará State, trapping three miners since Friday, the 24th. The miners were rescued on Saturday night, the 25th, and taken to the Municipal Hospital for medical procedures.

According to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the site had no authorization to operate and had already been targeted by environmental inspections. Authorities in Pará State reported that the illegal mine is approximately 50 meters (164 feet) deep.

Before the rescue, four firefighter divers managed to cross a water pocket that had formed inside the mine after the collapse and established contact with the three victims who were stranded.

The rescue began around 10 p.m., when the first worker, identified as João Vitor, was brought out. About 30 minutes later, a second man, identified only as Eduardo, was rescued. The third worker, Isaque, was retrieved about an hour later.

Before the rescue, the men were provided with food and medicine delivered through a pipe connecting the surface to the area where they were trapped, ensuring they stayed hydrated and nourished. The accident occurred during a shift change.

Following the incident report, teams from the State Government and the City Hall mobilized to carry out the rescue. According to the Fire Department, 14 military personnel from the region participated in the operation, including divers and rescue specialists who were dispatched from Belém to reinforce the team.

Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves