Five people died and two others were injured after an illegal open-pit mine collapsed in a rural area of Ataco, in the Tolima department.

The mine was located in the Las Cruces hamlet. The collapse occurred in the early hours of the morning, and the bodies of the victims were recovered by other miners who were at the scene.

Tolima’s governor stated that the accident was caused by the improper use of heavy machinery in an illegal mining operation.

In response, authorities and national police have intensified efforts to combat illegal mining activities, citing the significant environmental destruction and danger to human life associated with such operations.

The incident has added to growing concerns about the risks of unregulated mining in remote areas.