Mining accidents
Details
Event title
Bolivia - 3 killed, 2 injured in Bolivia mine collapse
Source
Severity
Low
Event date (UTC)
2026-10-01 11:00:18
Last update (UTC)
2026-10-01 11:00:19
Area range
Local event
Address/Affected area(s)
Mejora mine, Cerro Rico, Provincia de Frías, Departamento de Potosí
Three miners were killed and two others injured in a mine collapse in southwestern Bolivia, police said Wednesday.
The accident occurred late Tuesday at the Mejora mine, operated by the 9 de Abril mining cooperative on Cerro Rico in the department of Potosi, departmental police commander Franklin Roger Villazon said.
The three miners killed were between 24 and 26 years old. Police said a platform inside the mine collapsed over a stretch of about 100 meters.
Villazon said rescue crew worked through the night into early Wednesday. Local miners later recovered the three bodies, while the two injured workers were taken to the hospital.
Cerro Rico has been mined for silver and other minerals since the 16th century, with mining activities continuing to this day.