In León, the prolonged ordeal continues for the families of six miners who died from a gas explosion at the Emilio del Valle mine in Pola de Gordón back in 2013. Nearly three years have passed since the judge declared the case ready for sentencing, but no decision has been made. Exhausted from waiting, the victims’ relatives have once again gathered outside the courthouse to voice their pain and demand justice.
October 28 will mark 12 years since the tragedy that claimed the lives of six miners. During this time, the families have not only been denied justice, but have also faced endless bureaucracy and inaction. The presiding judge was on medical leave for a long period, and after returning, still failed to conclude the case. If she withdraws now, a retrial will be impossible due to the statute of limitations expiring, and those responsible could go unpunished.
The families of the victims make no secret of their disappointment. For them, this is not just a legal battle but a true ordeal that has lasted for years. They point out that after the mine accident, the necessary safety measures were not implemented, and the company owners allegedly tried to cover up the incident. Many are convinced that the tragedy could have been avoided if Hullera Vasco-Leonesa’s management had followed basic safety rules. In the days leading up to the disaster, coal extraction had already been suspended due to safety concerns, but operations were restarted, which ultimately led to the tragedy.
Despite their fatigue, the families refuse to give up
Among those still fighting for justice are the parents and siblings of the victims. They come to the courthouse with posters and photographs, hoping their voices will be heard. For many, this has become a lifelong mission. Some family members can no longer continue the fight, but the most steadfast refuse to give up, despite their exhaustion and despair.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that unless the judge delivers a verdict soon, the case may be closed for good. In that event, six deaths will go unanswered, leaving families with no hope for justice. The victims’ relatives believe the justice system is failing them and have little faith they will ever uncover the truth.
Questions for the authorities and consequences for the region
Local residents and former miners are also voicing dissatisfaction with the actions of the authorities. After the accident, the mine was not shut down, and those responsible, according to the families, were simply reassigned to other positions. This only fueled distrust in the system and created a sense of impunity. In a region where mining has always been a way of life, this tragedy has become a symbol of indifference and bureaucratic inefficiency.
As the legal wrangling drags on, the victims’ families continue to hope for a fair outcome. But with each passing day, their confidence that those responsible will be punished grows weaker. For them, it’s not just about the verdict—they want to restore faith in justice so such tragedies never happen again.
