ALBAWABA At least 27 workers killed in a fire followed by an explosion in a remote gold mine in southern Peru during an overnight shift Saturday.
A fire broke out deep in a gold mine in southern Peru, killing at least 27 workers during an overnight shift, Peruvian authorities report. https://t.co/hP7c0Xo9dr
— ABC News (@ABC) May 8, 2023
Police and the public prosecutor's office confirmed that the fire, which engulfed a tunnel inside the La Esperanza 1 mine in the Arequipa region, was caused by a short circuit.
The victims were 100 meters below ground, local media said.
News of the fire was only published Sunday once police had gathered details of those who died.
#BREAKING At least 27 dead in Peru gold mine fire: public prosecutor pic.twitter.com/oQuSluTdGe
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 7, 2023
The Yanaquihua mining company said in a statement that 175 workers had been safely evacuated after the accident.
The company said the 27 dead worked for a contractor that specializes in mining.
