Mine Accident: What Happened in Vega de Rengos
A serious incident occurred at a mine located in Vega de Rengos (Vega de Rengos), in the municipality of Cangas del Narcea (Cangas del Narcea). Following a sudden collapse of coal underground, three workers were trapped. The cave-in happened about one and a half kilometers from the mine entrance, on the second working level. The emergency services received the first alert close to five in the afternoon. Initially, there were reports of two missing miners, but it was later confirmed that contact was lost with three.
Firefighters and a specialized rescue team quickly arrived at the scene. A helicopter was used to bring the mine rescue brigade to the site. Colleagues of the trapped workers, who were off duty at the time, also joined the search efforts. According to locals familiar with working conditions at the mine, the collapse took place near the mine ramp. In such situations, escape routes sometimes remain, but if people are trapped between them, the chances of rescue greatly diminish.
Authorities Respond and Rescue Operation Underway
The regional authorities responded immediately to the incident. Government representatives, including officials responsible for industry and emergency situations, arrived at the scene. The head of the autonomous region, who was outside Asturias at the time, kept the situation under personal control and planned to return soon. The search and rescue operation is ongoing, with all actions being coordinated on site.
The mine extracts anthracite—a hard and rare type of coal known for its high carbon content, used in metallurgy. This sets the facility apart from traditional coal mines in the region, which produced softer grades of coal for power plants. The work is part of a special research project that was temporarily suspended in spring 2025 after a tragedy at another mine, but resumed following a safety compliance review.
The mine’s history and recent challenges
TyC Narcea’s operations in Vega de Rengos have already faced difficulties. In April 2025, after a fatal incident at the Zarréu mine (Zarréu, Degaña), activities were halted pending permit verification. Five miners lost their lives and four others were injured. After inspections and rectification of violations, authorities allowed mining to resume, and about 70 employees returned to work in June.
The situation is further complicated by internal issues within the mine rescue service. Recently, the central rescue brigade—known nationwide—announced a collective resignation due to unpaid overtime, lack of new recruits, and violations of labor agreements. Nonetheless, after submitting their resignation, the brigade is required to remain on duty and participate in rescue operations for a month, which is what is happening now in Vega de Rengos.
On-site situation and expectations
All available resources have joined the rescue operation, including local miners and professional rescuers. The work is made more difficult by challenging geological conditions and the risk of further collapses. Families and colleagues of the missing workers are waiting for updates at the mine entrance, hoping for good news. Authorities have promised to keep the public informed and to take all possible measures to save lives.
The tragedy in Vega de Rengos has once again drawn attention to mine safety and working conditions for miners in Asturias. The coming hours and days will be crucial for the fate of the missing workers and the entire mining industry in the region.
