Eighteen gold miners trapped underground for nearly 18 hours in north-western Colombia have been successfully rescued, according to government officials.

The miners were working in the El Minón mine in Antioquia’s Remedios municipality when equipment failure caused them to become trapped on Thursday.

After a 12-hour rescue mission, emergency crews were able to bring all the workers to safety by 03:00 local time (09:00 BST) on Friday. Thankfully, all miners were found in good health, Colombia’s National Mining Agency (ANM) confirmed.

Unlicensed Operation Suspected

Local authorities say the mine may have been operating without proper licensing. In a letter to the government, the mayor of Remedios raised concerns that the El Minón mine lacked formal authorization.

Mechanical Failure Behind Incident

According to Yarley Erasmo Marin, a representative of a regional miners’ association, a mechanical failure caused the collapse of a structure designed to prevent landslides. The collapse blocked the main exit, trapping the workers inside.

While they waited for rescue, oxygen was pumped underground through hoses, local media reported.

Celebrations at the Surface

Footage from the scene captured the moment of relief as the miners’ colleagues cheered and clapped while the trapped workers emerged one by one from the mine shaft.

A Warning from Authorities

Following the incident, the ANM released a statement urging miners to avoid illegal operations:

“Illegal mining puts lives at risk and harms both national resources and the environment,” the agency warned.

Mining accidents remain a persistent problem in Colombia, with dozens of fatalities recorded each year—especially in unregulated or illegal sites.