Colombia illegal gold mine landslide kills 14, injures seven

A landslide at an illegal gold mine in southwestern Colombia has killed 14 people and injured seven, with authorities ending the search for survivors after rescue teams struggled to reach the site.

Alex Gonzalez, Nariño's Peace and Security Secretary, confirmed the revised death toll to Colombian broadcaster Caracol on Monday. The governor's office said difficult terrain and the presence of criminal groups made access to the mine challenging.

Videos circulating on social media showed people using a backhoe to move bodies from the mine to a canoe on a nearby river.

The incident occurred in Nariño, a region bordering Ecuador that has become a hotspot for illegal mining. Armed groups operating in the area control the clandestine gold trade and are also involved in drug trafficking and extortion.

The risks faced by people working in such mines are compounded by a lack of alternative livelihoods, according to a source from the governor's office.

"Communities have no other economic alternatives than these extremely risky activities. Traditional small-scale mining has practically disappeared," the source told AFP.

Mine accidents are frequent in Colombia, particularly at sites operating outside regulatory oversight.

Armed groups and violence in mining areas

The municipality where the mine collapsed has also witnessed reports of selective killings by armed groups. Local residents have reported that people were targeted on suspicion of cooperating with security forces or rival organisations, as well as for allegedly stealing gold.

With AFP inputs