Santa Barbara de Iscuande:A tragic collapse at an open-pit gold mine in southwestern Colombia's Narino department has resulted in the death of 14 individuals, with an additional seven people injured. Four of the injured are in serious condition following the incident that occurred on Monday along the Iscuande River in the municipality of Santa Barbara de Iscuande, located on Colombia's Pacific coast.

According to Anadolu Agency, Alex Gonzalez, Narino's secretary of peace and human rights, confirmed that 13 bodies were recovered in Santa Barbara de Iscuande, while another was found in the neighboring municipality of Guapi in the Cauca department. The Narino Governor's Office coordinated with the Colombian Army's Third Division to evacuate the severely injured individuals by air to Tumaco for medical treatment.

The accident happened when a section of the open-pit mine collapsed, burying workers at the site. The mine is situated within the territory of the Iscuande River Basin Community Council. Initial reports had placed the death toll at nine, but as rescue efforts continued, the number rose to 14. Search operations have since concluded, with no further reports of missing persons.

In response to the disaster, UN Human Rights Colombia called for action from authorities in the National Disaster Risk Management System to support the injured and affected families. The organization urged the state to implement preventive measures and investigate illegal mining activities that endanger workers and harm the environment and community health.