14 people confirmed dead after mine collapse in El Callao

In El Callao, southeastern Venezuela, a catastrophic collapse of three vertical shafts at the Cuatro Esquinas de Caratal gold mine has claimed at least 14 lives, authorities report. The tragedy followed torrential rains that flooded the mine’s ravine-style workings, undermining structural integrity and triggering the collapse.

The disaster prompted an immediate search and rescue operation, coordinated by the national Emergency System. Brig. Gen. Gregory González Acevedo, head of the Operational Zones for Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis in Bolívar state, is leading recovery work. Rescuers first focused on pumping water from the submerged shafts to allow access to trapped miners.

El Callao, a mining town of about 30,000 people, depends heavily on gold extraction as a livelihood. The region is rich in copper, diamonds, and other minerals, but mining there is often marked by poor safety standards and structural risks.

Local miners and residents cite a combination of unregulated operations, inadequate drainage, and extreme weather as contributing factors. Illegal and informal mining is widespread in Bolívar state, and many operations lack oversight, engineering safeguards, or emergency protocols. 

The non-governmental organization SOS Orinoco published in its September report that at least 19 people died in 16 mining accidents between May and August. The majority of the incidents occurred in the municipalities of Sifontes and El Callao in Bolívar state.

With this data collected, the organization confirmed 29 fatalities so far in 2025, with the accident recorded on October 13 bringing the total to 33.