Story perspectives

Landslide at Illegal Gold Mine Kills 13 in Nariño

8/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

A landslide at an illegal gold mine near Puerto Rico village in Policarpa, Nariño killed 13 people and injured seven.
Government secretary Fredy Gamez said mining activity destabilized the slope, causing the collapse.
Four of the dead belonged to the Quillasinga indigenous family.
Firefighters, residents and excavators rescued all missing persons by early Thursday.
The tragedy follows a magnitude-7.4 earthquake on Aug. 10 that killed at least 319 people nationwide.

History

Historical Context

On 5 August 2010 the San José mine near Copiapó collapsed, trapping 33 miners for 69 days until a multinational rescue led by President Sebastián Piñera and state miner Codelco succeeded. The disaster prompted Chile to dismiss SERNAGEOMIN officials and tighten safety and indigenous-consultation rules. Colombian authorities now cite that Chilean response while addressing illegal gold mining-induced landslides threatening the Quillasinga community in Policarpa, Nariño.

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Story summary

A landslide at an illegal gold mine near Puerto Rico village in Policarpa, Nariño killed 13 people and injured seven.
Government secretary Fredy Gamez said mining activity destabilized the slope, causing the collapse.
Four of the dead belonged to the Quillasinga indigenous family.
Firefighters, residents and excavators rescued all missing persons by early Thursday.
The tragedy follows a magnitude-7.4 earthquake on Aug. 10 that killed at least 319 people nationwide.

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